Baje Whitethorne 

Growing up as a young boy near Shonto and Black Mesa on the Navajo reservation, Baje recalls pleasant memories of childhood:

After taking care of the sheep, my brothers and I would sit around in our Hogan and make up stories. I had a lot of fantasies as a kid. My imagination really ran wild. Baje began putting this vivid imagination into drawings as early as third grade."

Bajes trademark, a small folding chair, can be seen in some of his contemporary art work as a reminder of his youth:

I recall my parents bringing home a new card table with four metallic blue chairs. In the summer I would put my face on the seats because they were cool. I started to include the chair in my paintings because thats what I remember as a boy. Now I dont mind that people want to see the chair. The chair draws people into the painting as they try to find it.

Writing and illustrating childrens books is another accomplishment of this artist.

The bronze sculptures that Baje has recently been producing are his personal depiction of the traditional Navajo dancers.

Baje has received numerous awards and recognitions including a sculpture award in 2005 at the Santa Fe Indian Market for his newest sculpture, "Last of the Long Hairs".