World renowned Navajo painter, sculptor, and illustrator Baje Whitethorne Sr passed away in his sleep on November 17 in Flagstaff, Arizona, following a long illness. He was 73 years old. Mr Whitethorne was a multimedia artist whose works have graced museums including the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian, the Heard Museum in Phoenix, the Sharlot Hall Museum in Prescott, the Booth Western Art Museum in Cartersville, Georgia, as well as galleries and private collections around the world. According to the Navajo Times, Mr Whitethorne was born in Shonto, Arizona and made his home in Flagstaff. Some 250 people attended his funeral at Citizens Cemetery in Flagstaff on November 21.
Mr Whitethorne was considered one of the most important Native American artists of his time.
Baje Whitethorne's paintings, which focus on Dine' culture, the people, their traditions, and the landscape in which they live, are vibrant and gorgeously colorful. His sculptures seem to breathe with a life of their own.
"Silent Shadows", watercolor, 2008.
"Song of the Yei'be chi' ", watercolor, 2006.
There's a dreamlike sense of enchantment running through his works.
"Mystic One", bronze, 2002.
"Last of the Longhairs", bronze, 2005.
Mr Whitethorne also illustrated eight children's books, two of which he authored.
One of the children's books illustrated by Baje Whitethorne.
The artist has left us, but beauty he gave to our world will live forever.
The artist at a book signing, 2014.
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