Harrison Begay, War Dance
Harrison Begay
1917-2012
Diné (Navajo)
Alternative Name
Haashké yah Níyá - The Wandering Boy
Date
c.1955
Medium Specific
Silkscreen reproduction
Publisher
Tewa Enterprises, Santa Fe, New Mexico
Classification
Print
Dimensions
5 x 6 in. (12.7 x 15.2 cm)
Accession Number
2018.35.20.120
Credit
Gift of Carol and Don Tallman
Memo / Artist Statement
Begay joined with one of his fellow artists, Gerald Nailor, Sr. to form a publishing business in 1951 called Tewa Enterprises. Together they produced many silkscreen prints that were sold in the tourist business over several decades. These inexpensive prints were top quality silk screens, each done in editions of 2000. Many people traveling through the west purchased them and spread Begay's reputation as an artist.
Unfortunately, because they were so inexpensive, many were discarded over the years and today these prints are highly collectible. In addition to Begay and Nailor, they also printed images by Alan Houser.
Unfortunately, because they were so inexpensive, many were discarded over the years and today these prints are highly collectible. In addition to Begay and Nailor, they also printed images by Alan Houser.
Biography
Harrison Begay, or Haskay Yahne Yah (The Wandering Boy*), to his knowledge, was born in 1914 approximately fourteen miles west of present-day Greasewood, Arizona, on the Diné (Navajo) Reservation at a place known as Whitecone. His date of birth is often cited as a few years later, however, there are no records and Harrison prefers the year 1914.
Harrison Begay (1914-2012) Haskay Yahne Yah - The Wandering Boy - When he was a boy of seven years, his mother died and soon after that he was sent off to government boarding schools. As he grew older he decided to study art in Santa Fe where an art school was organized by the government in the early 1930s. From 1934 until about 1940 he attended this school under Dorothy Dunn. Following art school, Harrison attended college and then enlisted in the U.S. Army during World War II. Serving under General Dwight Eisenhower, Harrison did not have much opportunity to pursue his painting. Soon after his discharge and return to Arizona he was able to begin once more his study of art. Then in the 1960s he again met General Eisenhower at the annual Ceremonials in Gallup, New Mexico. At that time Harrison presented General Eisenhower with one of his fine paintings which is in a permanent collection in Washington, D.C.
Harrison Begay (1914-2012) Haskay Yahne Yah - The Wandering Boy - When he was a boy of seven years, his mother died and soon after that he was sent off to government boarding schools. As he grew older he decided to study art in Santa Fe where an art school was organized by the government in the early 1930s. From 1934 until about 1940 he attended this school under Dorothy Dunn. Following art school, Harrison attended college and then enlisted in the U.S. Army during World War II. Serving under General Dwight Eisenhower, Harrison did not have much opportunity to pursue his painting. Soon after his discharge and return to Arizona he was able to begin once more his study of art. Then in the 1960s he again met General Eisenhower at the annual Ceremonials in Gallup, New Mexico. At that time Harrison presented General Eisenhower with one of his fine paintings which is in a permanent collection in Washington, D.C.