Navajo woman with basket. The 14.5” pink Utah alabaster sculpture is on a 1.75” wooden base.
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Wilbert Kady is full blood Navajo. He was born in Farmington, New Mexico in 1964 and raised on the Navajo Reservation. His Indian name is Kay-dih which translates into “the last born of his family.” He began sculpting in 1984, and became a full time artist in 1991.
About the artist
Wilbert Kady (Kay-Dih)
Wilbert Kady (Kay-Dih)
“My name is Wilbert Kady, born in 1964. My nationality is full blood Navajo born in Farmington, New Mexico and raised in TeecNosPos, Arizona. My kinship clans are Towering House and Many Goats. K sign my sculptures with my grandfather’s Indian name “Kay-dih”, which translates into “the last born in his family”. I grew up in the Four Corners region from pre-school until Jr. High school in TeecNosPos and attended high school in Aztec and Kirkland, New Mexico. I then continued my education at Highlands University in Las Vegas, New Mexico for three years studying Business Management. Later on I attended a Technical Vocational Institute in Albuquerque, New Mexico for machine trades technology. From then on I worked as a machinist at Seeley Enterprises in Albuquerque and Allied Signal in Chandler, Arizona for five years.
I have always had an interest in art throughout my life. Every year throughout grammar school, jr. high, high school and college I took part in creating some form of art. I grew fond of realism from my father’s oil paintings, silversmithing and other artists who could make their artwork look realistic. I started sculpting alabaster in 1984. It was through watching my cousin, Herbert Peterson, Jr., that I got advice from and a general since of the art. He always emphasized that you can do anything you want with art. I always knew that an artist has to be original and have their own style. I took it from that point on to make a piece here and there just to get the satisfaction from the buyers and because I needed extra cash. In 1969 I decided to make a career change as a fulltime artist.
I express realism and mythical contemporary Native Americans through my art in their traditional fashions. I have toyed with abstract art, offered and encouraged to work in wax-bronze pieces. I also have some experience in making silver beads and I like watercolor. Right now I am satisfied with people enjoying and wanting to own something I create. My first impression when looking at a raw piece of rock is asking myself ‘what in the world can I make out of this.” I can have as many as three ideas for one rock and there are times when only one idea will fit into the one piece of rock. I try to select rock that have no cracks and that have good coloration.
My parent teased me while growing up that ideas aren’t bought. That told me through patience I can seemingly overcome any impossible task. There is always room to grow and I know through time one day I will reach the potential I would like to be recognized as. So all I can do is keep trying. I feel that is all anyone can do.
I have won awards in grade school and high school. In doing so I gained confidence in my abilities to pursue an art career and to participate in exhibitions. I am currently working on entering art shows in hopes of attaining recognition as a profound artist."
