Nocona Burgess, Comanche Painter

Nocona Burgess (Comanche Nation, b. 1969): Modern Portraits of Indigenous Identity

Nocona Burgess, a proud member of the Comanche Nation (Lords of the Plains) of Oklahoma and the great-great-grandson of Chief Quanah Parker, is celebrated for his bold, modern portraits of Indigenous people across North America.

With a strong academic foundation-a BFA from the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma and an MA in Art Education from the University of New Mexico-Burgess masterfully brings traditional subject matter into a powerful contemporary focus. His signature technique, painting outward from dark backgrounds, imbues his work with striking contrast and remarkable clarity.

For Nocona Burgess, painting is a deeply personal practice that not only honors his rich heritage but also powerfully affirms Native presence in both past and present. His compelling work has been exhibited widely and is held in major collections, including the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian and Santa Fe's own Museum of Indian Arts and Culture. His piece, Tee Pee Mesa, stands as a prime example of his extraordinary ability to reimagine traditional imagery through a distinctly modern lens.

TAGS: Comanche Nation - Lords of the Plains, Native American Painting