Clifford Beck, Diné of the Navajo Nation Artist

Clifford Beck (1946-1995) was born into a prominent Navajo family near Piñon, Arizona, the second of nine children. His pursuit of education, a value instilled by his family, led him from boarding school in Holbrook to high school graduation in Flagstaff in 1964. As one of the early Diné to benefit from tribal scholarship funds, Beck attended the prestigious California College of Arts and Crafts in Oakland, California. There, under the tutelage of faculty with Bauhaus design roots, he discovered the Impressionists, developing a particular affinity for Edgar Degas, whose pastel techniques subtly influenced his own work. He found camaraderie and encouragement among fellow Native American artists in the San Francisco Bay area, even holding a two-person exhibition with Patrick Swazo Hinds during his sophomore year.

Returning to the Navajo Reservation after college, Beck shared his artistic knowledge as an art instructor at the newly established Navajo Community College in Tsaile, Arizona. While teaching, he continued to paint part-time, eventually dedicating himself fully to his art in 1978. His exceptional talent was widely recognized through numerous accolades, including coveted first prizes at the renowned Indian Market Santa Fe (1992 and 1994), the Museum of Northern Arizona (1990), and the Annual Scottsdale National Indian Arts Exhibition (1975). He also earned first place for drawing at the Gallup Inter-Tribal Ceremonial and the Red Cloud Indian Art Show (1979), solidifying his reputation as a significant figure in contemporary Native American art.

TAGS: Patrick Swazo Hind, Navajo Reservation, Native American Paintings