About the Artist

(1913-1981) Momaday was the grandson of the first Kiowa judge and a Kiowa Medicine man.

He attended Bacone College, New Mexico University and the University of California in Los Angeles. The arts and crafts program he initiated at Jemez Day School brought him international recognition.  

In 1956 and 1962 he was named outstanding Indian artist.  His son, Dr. N. Scott Momaday was the first American Indian to win a Pulitzer Prize for literature and Momaday was commissioned to create a medal honoring his son.

His works can be seen in the Gilcrease Museum, Museum of the American Indian and the Philbrook.