Kiowa Five
Encyclopedia
The Kiowa Five or Kiowa Six is a group of six Kiowa
artists from Oklahoma
in the 20th century. They were Spencer Asah
, James Auchiah
, Jack Hokeah
, Stephen Mopope
, Lois Smoky
, and Monroe Tsatoke
.
. His relatives, including his great-uncles Silver Horn
and Fort Marion ledger art
ist Ohettoint, recognized his artistic talent at an early age and taught him traditional Kiowa painting techniques. Jack Hokeah (ca. 1900/2-1969) was orphaned at a young age and raised by his grandmother. Later in life, San Ildefonso Pueblo potter Maria Martinez
adopted him as a son and he lived with her family for a decade in New Mexico
. Monroe Tsatoke (1904–1937) was born near Saddle Mountain, Oklahoma
. His father Tsatokee ("Hunting Horse") was his first artistic influence. James Auchiah (1906–1974) was born near present-day Medicine Park, Oklahoma
. His grandfather was Red Tipi, a ledger artist, medicine man, and bundle keeper. Spencer Asah (ca. 1905/1910-1954) was born in Carnegie, Oklahoma
. His father, a buffalo medicine man provided Asah with the traditional cultural background to inspire his art. Lois Smoky (1907–1981), born near Anadarko
, was the youngest of the group and the only woman.
nun, Sister Mary Olivia Taylor (1872–1931).
Monroe Tsatoke did not attend St. Patrick's and did not receive formal art training until the Kiowa agency field matron, Susan Peters, took an interest in the young Kiowa artists and formed an art club. Ms. Peters arranged for Mrs. Willie Blaze Lane of Chickasha, Oklahoma
to give them painting lessons.
's art department to create a special program for the Kiowa artists. In 1926, Asah, Hokeah, Tsatoke, and Mopope moved to Norman
. They were soon joined by Lois Smoky in 1927 and lived together in a house rented by Lois Smoky's parents.
Jacobson provided studio space for the group but felt that he did not want to interfere with the direction their painting was taking. Dr. Edith Mahler, an art professor at OU also helped provide technical instruction. In the fall of 1927, James Auchiah joined the program at OU.
Lois Smoky returned home in 1927, leaving the program. She married and was devoted to her family. Although she did not continue painting, she became a beadwork artist. Since her paintings are the most rare, they have become the most collectible of the group.
. In 1928, Jacobson entered their watercolor paintings in the First International Art Exposition in Prague
, Czechoslovakia
, where they received international acclaim. Their work continued to be exhibited throughout Europe. In 1929, Jacobson collaborated with a French printer to produce, Kiowa Art, a portfolio of 24 pochoir prints of their paintings of intertribal dancers, ceremonies, musicians, and Kiowa daily life.
When they participated in the 1932 Venice Biennale
, their exhibit "was acclaimed the most popular exhibit among all the rich and varied displays assembled."
The Kiowa Six are considered significant in the development of Native American painting, bridging the era of Ledger Art
to flatstyle Southern Plains painting. While not the first Native Americans to be successful in the international fine art world, their career proved inspirational to many Native artists in the 20th century.
and Ledger art
, the Kiowa Six created a new style of painting that portrayed ceremonial and social scenes of Kiowa life, stories from oral history
, that is characterized by solid color fields, minimal backgrounds, a flat perspective, and emphasis on details of dance regalia.
Kiowa
The Kiowa are a nation of American Indians and indigenous people of the Great Plains. They migrated from the northern plains to the southern plains in the late 17th century. In 1867, the Kiowa moved to a reservation in southwestern Oklahoma...
artists from Oklahoma
Oklahoma
Oklahoma is a state located in the South Central region of the United States of America. With an estimated 3,751,351 residents as of the 2010 census and a land area of 68,667 square miles , Oklahoma is the 28th most populous and 20th-largest state...
in the 20th century. They were Spencer Asah
Spencer Asah
Spencer Asah was a Kiowa painter, one of the Kiowa Five, from Oklahoma.-Early life:Spencer Asah was born around 1905 in Carnegie, Oklahoma. His Kiowa name was Lallo . His father was a buffalo medicine man. His father provided Asah extensive cultural information that he later used in his art.Asah...
, James Auchiah
James Auchiah
James Auchiah was a Kiowa painter, one of the Kiowa Five, from Oklahoma.-Early life:James Auchiah was born in on 17 November 1906 in Oklahoma Territory, near present day Meers and Medicine Park, Oklahoma...
, Jack Hokeah
Jack Hokeah
Jack Hokeah was a Kiowa painter, one of the Kiowa Five, from Oklahoma.-Early life:Jack Hokeah was born around 1900 or 1902 in western Oklahoma. He was orphaned at a very young age and raised by his grandmother. His grandfather was the Kiowa warrior, White Horse.Hokeah attend St...
, Stephen Mopope
Stephen Mopope
Stephen Mopope was a Kiowa painter, dancer, and flute player of Spanish descent, from Oklahoma. He was the most prolific member of the Kiowa Five-Early life:...
, Lois Smoky
Lois Smoky
Lois Smoky Kaulaity was a Kiowa painter, one of the Kiowa Five, from Oklahoma.-Early life:Lois Smoky was born in 1907 near Anadarko, Oklahoma. Bougetah was her Kiowa name, meaning "Of the Dawn." Her father, Enoch Smoky, was the great-nephew of Kiowa Chief Appiatan.Smoky first studied art at St...
, and Monroe Tsatoke
Monroe Tsatoke
Monroe Tsatoke was a Kiowa painter, one of the Kiowa Five, from Oklahoma.-Early life:Monroe Tsatoke was born on 29 September 1904 in Oklahoma Territory, near present day Saddle Mountain, Oklahoma. Tsatokee was his Kiowa name, which meant "Hunting Horse." His father was also named Tsatokee, and was...
.
Background
Stephen Mopope (1898–1974), the oldest in the group, was born on the Kiowa Reservation in Oklahoma TerritoryOklahoma Territory
The Territory of Oklahoma was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from May 2, 1890, until November 16, 1907, when it was joined with the Indian Territory under a new constitution and admitted to the Union as the State of Oklahoma.-Organization:Oklahoma Territory's...
. His relatives, including his great-uncles Silver Horn
Silver Horn
Silver Horn or Haungooah was a Kiowa Ledger Artist from Oklahoma.-Background:Silver Horn was born circa 1860 and was a member of the Kiowa Indian Tribe of Oklahoma. His Kiowa name, Haungooah, refers to sunlight reflecting off a buffalo horn, making it gleam like a polished, white metal...
and Fort Marion ledger art
Ledger Art
Ledger Art is a term for Plains Indian narrative drawing or painting on paper or cloth. Ledger art was primarily from the 1860s to about 1900, although some of the old style drawing continues to the 1930s. There is also a contemporary group of accomplished Native American artists who work in the...
ist Ohettoint, recognized his artistic talent at an early age and taught him traditional Kiowa painting techniques. Jack Hokeah (ca. 1900/2-1969) was orphaned at a young age and raised by his grandmother. Later in life, San Ildefonso Pueblo potter Maria Martinez
Maria Martinez
Maria Montoya Martinez was a Native American artist who created internationally known pottery...
adopted him as a son and he lived with her family for a decade in New Mexico
New Mexico
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
. Monroe Tsatoke (1904–1937) was born near Saddle Mountain, Oklahoma
Saddle Mountain, Oklahoma
Saddle Mountain is an unincorporated community in Kiowa County, Oklahoma, United States, along State Highway 115. The Saddle Mountain Post Office existed from January 2, 1902, until May 31, 1955. It was named for the Saddle Mountain Indian School...
. His father Tsatokee ("Hunting Horse") was his first artistic influence. James Auchiah (1906–1974) was born near present-day Medicine Park, Oklahoma
Medicine Park, Oklahoma
Medicine Park is a town in Comanche County, Oklahoma, United States, situated in the Wichita Mountains near the entrance to the Wichita Mountain Wildlife Refuge. Medicine Park has a long history as a vintage cobblestone resort town. Medicine Park is also located near the city of Lawton and Fort...
. His grandfather was Red Tipi, a ledger artist, medicine man, and bundle keeper. Spencer Asah (ca. 1905/1910-1954) was born in Carnegie, Oklahoma
Carnegie, Oklahoma
Carnegie is a town in Caddo County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 1,723 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Carnegie is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , all of it land....
. His father, a buffalo medicine man provided Asah with the traditional cultural background to inspire his art. Lois Smoky (1907–1981), born near Anadarko
Anadarko, Oklahoma
Anadarko is a city in Caddo County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 6,645 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Caddo County.-Early History:Anadarko got its name when its post office was established in 1873...
, was the youngest of the group and the only woman.
St. Patrick's Mission School
Five of the artists attended the St. Patrick's Mission School in Anadarko, serving Kiowa, Comanche and Apache children. Operating from 1872 to 1996, the school, also known as the Anadarko Boarding School, was the longest lived of the seven schools for Native American children in Oklahoma operated by St. Patrick's Mission. There the Kiowa Six received formal art instruction from a ChoctawChoctaw
The Choctaw are a Native American people originally from the Southeastern United States...
nun, Sister Mary Olivia Taylor (1872–1931).
Monroe Tsatoke did not attend St. Patrick's and did not receive formal art training until the Kiowa agency field matron, Susan Peters, took an interest in the young Kiowa artists and formed an art club. Ms. Peters arranged for Mrs. Willie Blaze Lane of Chickasha, Oklahoma
Chickasha, Oklahoma
Chickasha is a city in and the county seat, business and employment center of Grady County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 15,850 at the 2000 census. Chickasha is home to the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma and hosts an annual Festival of Light celebration located at...
to give them painting lessons.
University of Oklahoma
Susie Peters encouraged Swedish-American artist Oscar Jacobson, the director of the University of OklahomaUniversity of Oklahoma
The University of Oklahoma is a coeducational public research university located in Norman, Oklahoma. Founded in 1890, it existed in Oklahoma Territory near Indian Territory for 17 years before the two became the state of Oklahoma. the university had 29,931 students enrolled, most located at its...
's art department to create a special program for the Kiowa artists. In 1926, Asah, Hokeah, Tsatoke, and Mopope moved to Norman
Norman, Oklahoma
Norman is a city in Cleveland County, Oklahoma, United States, and is located south of downtown Oklahoma City. It is part of the Oklahoma City metropolitan area. As of the 2010 census, Norman was to have 110,925 full-time residents, making it the third-largest city in Oklahoma and the...
. They were soon joined by Lois Smoky in 1927 and lived together in a house rented by Lois Smoky's parents.
Jacobson provided studio space for the group but felt that he did not want to interfere with the direction their painting was taking. Dr. Edith Mahler, an art professor at OU also helped provide technical instruction. In the fall of 1927, James Auchiah joined the program at OU.
Lois Smoky returned home in 1927, leaving the program. She married and was devoted to her family. Although she did not continue painting, she became a beadwork artist. Since her paintings are the most rare, they have become the most collectible of the group.
Art career
While Jacobson did not wish to dictate subject matter to the remaining five artists, he did actively promote their work. He arranged for their work to be shown at the Denver Art MuseumDenver Art Museum
The Denver Art Museum is an art museum in Denver, Colorado located in Denver's Civic Center.It is known for its collection of American Indian art,and has a comprehensive collection numbering more than 68,000 works from across the world....
. In 1928, Jacobson entered their watercolor paintings in the First International Art Exposition in Prague
Prague
Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. Situated in the north-west of the country on the Vltava river, the city is home to about 1.3 million people, while its metropolitan area is estimated to have a population of over 2.3 million...
, Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia
Czechoslovakia or Czecho-Slovakia was a sovereign state in Central Europe which existed from October 1918, when it declared its independence from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, until 1992...
, where they received international acclaim. Their work continued to be exhibited throughout Europe. In 1929, Jacobson collaborated with a French printer to produce, Kiowa Art, a portfolio of 24 pochoir prints of their paintings of intertribal dancers, ceremonies, musicians, and Kiowa daily life.
When they participated in the 1932 Venice Biennale
Venice Biennale
The Venice Biennale is a major contemporary art exhibition that takes place once every two years in Venice, Italy. The Venice Film Festival is part of it. So too is the Venice Biennale of Architecture, which is held in even years...
, their exhibit "was acclaimed the most popular exhibit among all the rich and varied displays assembled."
The Kiowa Six are considered significant in the development of Native American painting, bridging the era of Ledger Art
Ledger Art
Ledger Art is a term for Plains Indian narrative drawing or painting on paper or cloth. Ledger art was primarily from the 1860s to about 1900, although some of the old style drawing continues to the 1930s. There is also a contemporary group of accomplished Native American artists who work in the...
to flatstyle Southern Plains painting. While not the first Native Americans to be successful in the international fine art world, their career proved inspirational to many Native artists in the 20th century.
Artwork
Inspired by the narrative, representational qualities of Plains hide paintingPlains hide painting
Plains hide painting is a traditional Plains Indian artistic practice of painting on either tanned or raw animal hides. Tipis, tipi liners, shields, parfleches, robes, clothing, drums, and winter counts could all be painted.-Genres:...
and Ledger art
Ledger Art
Ledger Art is a term for Plains Indian narrative drawing or painting on paper or cloth. Ledger art was primarily from the 1860s to about 1900, although some of the old style drawing continues to the 1930s. There is also a contemporary group of accomplished Native American artists who work in the...
, the Kiowa Six created a new style of painting that portrayed ceremonial and social scenes of Kiowa life, stories from oral history
Oral history
Oral history is the collection and study of historical information about individuals, families, important events, or everyday life using audiotapes, videotapes, or transcriptions of planned interviews...
, that is characterized by solid color fields, minimal backgrounds, a flat perspective, and emphasis on details of dance regalia.
See also
- Native American artNative American artVisual arts by indigenous peoples of the Americas encompasses the visual artistic traditions of the indigenous peoples of the Americas from ancient times to the present...
- List of indigenous artists of the Americas
- Timeline of Native American art historyTimeline of Native American art historyThis is a chronological list of significant or pivotal moments in the development of Native American art or the visual arts of the Indigenous peoples of the Americas...
- Bacone schoolBacone schoolThe Bacone style or Bacone school of painting, drawing, and printmaking is a Native American Flatstyle art movement, primarily from the mid-20th century in Oklahoma...
External links
- Kiowa Art, the portfolio with images of all six artists' work, National Anthropological Archives
- http://www.wm.edu/news/stories/2011/opening-exhibition-at-muscarelle-traces-roots-of-contemporary-native-american-art-123.php In Memory Still: A Kiowa Legacy in Art