Gilcrease Portfolio of “Five Kiowa Paintings” plus Lois Smokey

The Thomas Gilcrease Institute of American History and Art, Tulsa, Oklahoma, published prints of five selected paintings by the five Kiowa Nation artists, Spencer Asah, James Auchiah, Jack Hokeah, Stephen Mopope, and Monroe Toatoke. Additionally, included in this collection is a single print of a painting by Lois Smokey.

The paintings selected for this portfolio are:

     Wedding by Spencer Asah

     Osage Chant by James Auchiah

     Flute Player by Jack Hokeah

     Kiowa Flute Player by Stephen Mopope

     Untitled by Monroe Tsatoke

     Untitled by Bou-qe-Tah Lois Smokey

The Kiowa Artists

When Dr. O. B. Jacobson, head of the school of art at the University of Oklahoma was made aware of paintings by a group of young Indian artists of Oklahoma, he was convinced that at least a select number of those Kiowa artists should be aided. Unfortunately, artists selected could not meet entrance requirements to the University that fall in 1926. A member of the art school's teaching staff opened her office as a studio for the group which included Asah, Hokeah, Mopope, and Tsatoke. The art teacher devoted her sessions with them to provide instruction in technique and to offer criticisms at the proper time. Therefore, the students never entered the university proper.

Jacobson sought ways for the Kiowas to support themselves while they were on campus. He persuaded people to purchase their paintings, he talked to clubs and arranged for the group to give programs. Tsatoke was the singer and drummer while Hokeah, Mopope, and Asah danced. 

In January 1927, Lois Smokey joined the boys at the University of Oklahoma, and in late spring they returned to the Kiowa Reservation to plant their crops. In the fall of 1927, the five returned with Auchiah. Lois, however, soon dropped from the classes. Jacobson exhibited their paintings at the First International Art Exposition, held in Prague, Czechoslovakia, in 1928, where they created a sensation. The outcome of that exhibition was Kiowa Indian Art, a portfolio of their art in silk screen form in 1929.

TAGS: Native American paintings, Kiowa Nation, Spencer Asah, Jack Hokeah, Stephen Mopope, Lois Smoky, The KIOWA SIX, Native American Painting Group