About Boyd Tsosie

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Boyd Tsosie was born in 1954. By the time he was sixteen, he had already begun working with metal, shaping his future at a young age. His path in jewelry took a clear direction when he studied under Kenneth Begay at Navajo Community College. Begay was widely regarded as the father of modern Navajo jewelry. He introduced new techniques that moved beyond traditional styles, and Boyd picked them up quickly. What he learned during that time would form the basis of his approach to design.<br><br> He started with silver, building pieces that featured soldered flower and leaf patterns. These early designs stood out and drew attention from collectors and others in the art world. By the time he was twenty-three, in 1979, he had already made a name for himself in the Southwestern jewelry scene. As his work evolved, he shifted toward 14K gold and began incorporating materials like turquoise, coral, lapis, and sugilite. His goal was to create something forward-looking while still grounded in Navajo tradition. He referred to this as “tomorrow’s tradition.”<br><br> His pieces were selected for exhibitions, including Jewels of the Southwest in New Mexico. His work and contributions were also featured in books such as Navajo Indian Jewelry and Enduring Traditions and North American Indian Jewelry and Adornment. These publications helped document the direction Boyd was taking, bridging older forms with new ideas and placing him among the leading figures in contemporary Native jewelry.<br><br> He wasn’t only focused on his craft. Boyd also turned his attention to his community. He founded a nonprofit aimed at supporting members of the Navajo Nation facing substance challenges. The same values that shaped his jewelry; responsibility, tradition, and care also present in this work.<br><br> Boyd Tsosie’s career reflects a consistent thread: respect for the past and a commitment to shaping the future. His pieces are more than decorative objects. Each one represents a step in the ongoing story of Navajo artistry, told through metal, stone, and vision.