Archie Blackowl

Archie Blackowl was a Cheyenne painter from Oklahoma who played a pivotal role in mid-20th century Native American art.

Background

Archie Blackowl was born in Custer County, Oklahoma, on November 23, 1911.

Education

Blackowl, was educated at Haskell Indian Nations University, studied under Olle Nordmark. Blackowl was a muralist and studio painter, who began painting actively and professionally in the early 1930s. He was commissioned to paint a mural in The Palmer House, a hotel in Chicago, Illinois.

Career

Archie Blackowl had many occupations including teacher, muralist, civil service employee, Walt Disney studio employee, industrial painter for the aircraft industry, and artist. Blackowl is generally considered to be one of the more important Oklahoma traditional painters. Blackowl's work captures the traditional Southern Plains culture and life. His paintings, generally in tempera or mixed media, depict scenes of dancers or ceremonies in the Flat style of the Dorothy Dunn school or Bacone style of painting. Blackowl was best known for his stylized dancers adorned with traditional regalia and lack of backgrounds, as well as works upon the unforgiving blackboard. Blackowl's devotion to traditional style flat painting earned him the honor of "Living Legend," by Ralph Oliver in 1990, as referenced in "Biographical Directory of Native American Painters," by Patrick D. Lester.

Blackowl has inspired many contemporary artists across the United States. His art is a legacy to which many young Native artists look to for information of tradition and technical skills.

Died

Archie Blackowl died on September 15, 1992, in Stillwater, Oklahoma. He was survived by ten children.

Career and honors

Blackowl's works are included in such museum collections as the Gilcrease Museum in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the Millicent Rogers Museum in Taos, New Mexico, and the Sequoyah Research Center in Little Rock, Arkansas. Blackowl's work is also in many private collections nationwide.