Oscar Howe
Encyclopedia
Oscar Howe (Yanktonai Dakota, 1915–1983) was an American
artist from South Dakota
, who became well known for his casein
paintings.
. Descended from Sioux chiefs, he belonged to the Yanktonai band of Dakota
. He attended the Pierre Indian School (a boarding school) in South Dakota in 1933. His artistic talent was recognized and he attended Dorothy Dunn
’s art program at the Studio of Santa Fe Indian School
from 1933-1938.
After working for several years and serving in World War II
, Howe went to college, where he earned his B.A. degree at Dakota Wesleyan University
in 1952. Having worked as an artist for more than a decade, he also taught as Artist-in-Residence. He received his M.F.A. at the University of Oklahoma
in 1954.
. Later he developed a distinctive style of his own. Howe began with traditional Sioux "straight line" painting, based on hide and later ledger paintings
, "an artistic form which symbolizes truth or righteousness", and infused it with Cubism
. Through his art, he wanted to portray the contemporary realities of his tribal culture.
During the 1930s and the Great Depression
, he was employed by the Works Progress Administration
in South Dakota
. He painted a set of mural
s for the municipal auditorium in Mobridge, South Dakota
and a mural within the dome of the old Carnegie Library, now the Carnegie Resource Center, in Mitchell, South Dakota
. Howe worked as an art instructor at Pierre High School in 1939. From 1948-1971, he designed panels for the Corn Palace
in Mitchell.
Howe became Professor of Art at the University of South Dakota
, in Vermillion, South Dakota
in 1957. He taught there until 1983.
Survey texts and articles on Native American modern art
often credit Howe with influencing the development of contemporary art in the Indian community. In 1958 he was rejected from a show of Native American art at the Philbrook Museum because his work did not meet the criteria of "traditional" Indian style. Howe wrote in protest,
within thet community.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
artist from South Dakota
South Dakota
South Dakota is a state located in the Midwestern region of the United States. It is named after the Lakota and Dakota Sioux American Indian tribes. Once a part of Dakota Territory, South Dakota became a state on November 2, 1889. The state has an area of and an estimated population of just over...
, who became well known for his casein
Casein
Casein is the name for a family of related phosphoprotein proteins . These proteins are commonly found in mammalian milk, making up 80% of the proteins in cow milk and between 60% and 65% of the proteins in human milk....
paintings.
Early life and education
Oscar Howe (May 13, 1915 - October 7, 1983) was born in Joe Creek, South Dakota on the Crow Creek Sioux ReservationCrow Creek Reservation
The Crow Creek Indian Reservation is located in parts of Buffalo, Hughes, and Hyde counties on the east bank of the Missouri River in central South Dakota in the United States. It has a land area of 421.658 sq mi and a 2000 census population of 2,225 persons...
. Descended from Sioux chiefs, he belonged to the Yanktonai band of Dakota
Dakota
- Ethnology and linguistics :* Sioux sub-tribes:**Eastern Dakota**Western Dakota* Dakota language, either of two regional varieties of the Sioux language- Geography :United States*North Dakota, a state*South Dakota, a state* Dakota, Illinois, a village...
. He attended the Pierre Indian School (a boarding school) in South Dakota in 1933. His artistic talent was recognized and he attended Dorothy Dunn
Dorothy Dunn
Dorothy Dunn Kramer was an American art instructor who created The Studio School at the Santa Fe Indian School.-Background:Dunn was born on 2 December 1903 in Pottawatomie County, Kansas and educated in Chicago. She first encountered Native American art at the Field Museum in Chicago in 1925...
’s art program at the Studio of Santa Fe Indian School
Santa Fe Indian School
The Santa Fe Indian School is a secondary school in Santa Fe, New Mexico, United States. It was founded in 1890 as a boarding school for Native American children from the state's Indian pueblos. But in the course of its history, the school has also served as a major cultural catalyst for the...
from 1933-1938.
After working for several years and serving in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Howe went to college, where he earned his B.A. degree at Dakota Wesleyan University
Dakota Wesleyan University
Dakota Wesleyan University is a four-year university located in Mitchell, South Dakota, founded in 1885, that is affiliated with the United Methodist Church. The student body averages slightly less than 800 students...
in 1952. Having worked as an artist for more than a decade, he also taught as Artist-in-Residence. He received his M.F.A. at the University of Oklahoma
University 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...
in 1954.
Art career
Howe's early paintings are similar to other work produced by the Santa Fe Indian SchoolSanta Fe Indian School
The Santa Fe Indian School is a secondary school in Santa Fe, New Mexico, United States. It was founded in 1890 as a boarding school for Native American children from the state's Indian pueblos. But in the course of its history, the school has also served as a major cultural catalyst for the...
. Later he developed a distinctive style of his own. Howe began with traditional Sioux "straight line" painting, based on hide and later ledger paintings
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...
, "an artistic form which symbolizes truth or righteousness", and infused it with Cubism
Cubism
Cubism was a 20th century avant-garde art movement, pioneered by Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque, that revolutionized European painting and sculpture, and inspired related movements in music, literature and architecture...
. Through his art, he wanted to portray the contemporary realities of his tribal culture.
During the 1930s and the Great Depression
Great Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
, he was employed by the Works Progress Administration
Works Progress Administration
The Works Progress Administration was the largest and most ambitious New Deal agency, employing millions of unskilled workers to carry out public works projects, including the construction of public buildings and roads, and operated large arts, drama, media, and literacy projects...
in South Dakota
South Dakota
South Dakota is a state located in the Midwestern region of the United States. It is named after the Lakota and Dakota Sioux American Indian tribes. Once a part of Dakota Territory, South Dakota became a state on November 2, 1889. The state has an area of and an estimated population of just over...
. He painted a set of mural
Mural
A mural is any piece of artwork painted or applied directly on a wall, ceiling or other large permanent surface. A particularly distinguishing characteristic of mural painting is that the architectural elements of the given space are harmoniously incorporated into the picture.-History:Murals of...
s for the municipal auditorium in Mobridge, South Dakota
Mobridge, South Dakota
Mobridge is a city in Walworth County, South Dakota, United States. The population was 3,465 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Mobridge is located at ....
and a mural within the dome of the old Carnegie Library, now the Carnegie Resource Center, in Mitchell, South Dakota
Mitchell, South Dakota
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 14,558 people, 6,121 households, and 3,599 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,475.7 people per square mile . There were 6,555 housing units at an average density of 664.4 per square mile...
. Howe worked as an art instructor at Pierre High School in 1939. From 1948-1971, he designed panels for the Corn Palace
Corn Palace
The Corn Palace is a multi-purpose arena/facility located in Mitchell, South Dakota. It is a popular tourist destination, visited by more than 500,000 people each year. The Moorish Revival building is decorated with Crop art; the murals and designs covering the building are made from corn and...
in Mitchell.
Howe became Professor of Art at the University of South Dakota
University of South Dakota
The University of South Dakota ', the state’s oldest university, was founded in 1862 and classes began in 1882. Located in Vermillion, South Dakota, United States, USD is home to South Dakota's only medical school and law school. USD is governed by the South Dakota Board of Regents, and its current...
, in Vermillion, South Dakota
Vermillion, South Dakota
Vermillion is a city in and the county seat of Clay County, in the southeastern corner of the U.S. state of South Dakota, and the tenth largest city in the state. According to the 2010 Census, the population was 10,571. Vermillion lies atop a bluff near the Missouri River.The area has been home to...
in 1957. He taught there until 1983.
Survey texts and articles on Native American modern art
Modern art
Modern art includes artistic works produced during the period extending roughly from the 1860s to the 1970s, and denotes the style and philosophy of the art produced during that era. The term is usually associated with art in which the traditions of the past have been thrown aside in a spirit of...
often credit Howe with influencing the development of contemporary art in the Indian community. In 1958 he was rejected from a show of Native American art at the Philbrook Museum because his work did not meet the criteria of "traditional" Indian style. Howe wrote in protest,
"Are we to be held back forever with one phase of Indian painting that is the most common way? Are we to be herded like a bunch of sheep, with no right for individualism, dictated to as the Indian has always been, put on reservations and treated like a child and only the White Man know what is best for him... but one could easily turn to become a social protest painter. I only hope the Art World will not be one more contributor to holding us in chains."His protest led to the acceptance of abstraction
Abstraction
Abstraction is a process by which higher concepts are derived from the usage and classification of literal concepts, first principles, or other methods....
within thet community.
Honors
- 1960, named Artist Laureate of South Dakota.
- Two exhibition spaces are dedicated to showing his work: the Oscar Howe Art Gallery at the Dakota Discovery Museum in Mitchell, and the Oscar Howe Gallery at the University of South DakotaUniversity of South DakotaThe University of South Dakota ', the state’s oldest university, was founded in 1862 and classes began in 1882. Located in Vermillion, South Dakota, United States, USD is home to South Dakota's only medical school and law school. USD is governed by the South Dakota Board of Regents, and its current...
in Vermillion, South DakotaVermillion, South DakotaVermillion is a city in and the county seat of Clay County, in the southeastern corner of the U.S. state of South Dakota, and the tenth largest city in the state. According to the 2010 Census, the population was 10,571. Vermillion lies atop a bluff near the Missouri River.The area has been home to...
. - From April 17, 2007 to February 17, 2008, an exhibit of Oscar Howe's work was on display at the South Dakota Art Museum in BrookingsBrookings, South DakotaBrookings is a city in Brookings County, South Dakota, United States. Brookings is the fourth largest city in South Dakota, with a population of 22,056 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Brookings County, and home to South Dakota State University, the largest institution of higher...
, South DakotaSouth DakotaSouth Dakota is a state located in the Midwestern region of the United States. It is named after the Lakota and Dakota Sioux American Indian tribes. Once a part of Dakota Territory, South Dakota became a state on November 2, 1889. The state has an area of and an estimated population of just over...
. Most of these works were done in casein paintCasein paintCasein paint, derived from milk casein, is a fast-drying, water-soluble medium used by artists. It generally has a glue-like consistency, but can be thinned with water to the degree that fits a particular artist's style and desired result. It can be used on canvas panels, illustration boards,...
. There were also works in graphite on paper and sculptureSculptureSculpture is three-dimensional artwork created by shaping or combining hard materials—typically stone such as marble—or metal, glass, or wood. Softer materials can also be used, such as clay, textiles, plastics, polymers and softer metals...
of stone and bronze on display. - An elementary school in Sioux Falls, South DakotaSioux Falls, South DakotaSioux Falls is the largest city in the U.S. state of South Dakota. Sioux Falls is the county seat of Minnehaha County, and also extends into Lincoln County to the south...
is named after him.
Quote
"One criterion for my painting is to present the cultural life and activities of the Sioux Indians; dances, ceremonies, legends, lore, arts . . . It is my greatest hope that my paintings may serve to bring the best thing of Indian culture into the modern way of life." – Oscar HoweFurther reading
- Anthes, Bill. Native Moderns: American Indian Painting, 1940-1960. Durham, NC: Duke University Press, 2006.
- Day, John. “Arthur AmiotteArthur AmiotteArthur Douglas Amiotte, is an Oglala Lakota American painter, collage artist, educator, and author.- Biography :...
and Oscar Howe: Sympathy and Divergence.” Arthur Amiotte Retrospective Exhibition: Continuity and Diversity. Ed. John A. Day. Pine Ridge, SD: The Heritage Center, Inc., Red Cloud Indian School, 2001. 19-24. - Day, John A. “Oscar Howe: A Master Revisited.” South Dakota Magazine. 12, no. 2 (July–August 1996): 18-27.
- Dockstader, Frederick J., ed. Oscar Howe: A Retrospective; Catalouge Raisonné. Tulsa: Thomas Gilcrease Museum Association, 1982.
- Dunn, Dorothy. “Oscar Howe: Sioux Artist.” El Palacio. 64, nos. 5-6 (May–June 1957): 167-173.
- Howe, Oscar. “Theories and Beliefs – Dakota.” South Dakota Review. 2, no. 2 (1969).
- Jacobson, Oscar B. North American Indian Costumes. 2 vols. Nice, France: C. Szwedzicki, 1952.
- Jacobson, Oscar B., and Jeanne d’Uncel. American Indian Painters. Nice, France: C. Szwedzicki, 1950.
- Milton, John R. Oscar Howe: The Story of an American Indian. Minneapolis: Dillon Press, 1972.
- Pennington, Robert. Oscar Howe: Artist of the Sioux. Sioux Falls: Dakota Territory Centennial Committee, 1961.
- Sharples, Riva J. “In the Presence of Greatness.” South Dakota Magazine. (November–December 2008): 34-41.
- Snodgrass King, Jeanne. “Oscar Howe: Power, Strength, and Individualism.” Four Winds. 3, no. 2 (Autumn 1982): 8-15.
- Welch, Eddie. “Bridging Cultures Abroad: Oscar Howe’s American Specialist Tour.” South Dakota History. 37, no. 3 (Fall 2007): 185-208.
- White, Mark Andrew. “Oscar Howe and the Transformation of Native American Art.” American Indian Art Magazine. 23, no. 1 (Winter 1997): 36-43.
External links
- OscarHowe.org
- Oscar Howe gallery, University of South Dakota