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Woody Big Bow

Woodrow Wilson “Woody” Big Bow was a self-taught artist and an enrolled member of the Kiowa Tribe. The grandson of Kiowa Chief Big Bow, he was born and raised on family land in Carnegie, Oklahoma, part of the Kiowa-Comanche-Apache Reservation. Big Bow is best known for his emotive paintings depicting Indigenous subjects, and for designing the thunderbird insignia that was chosen to represent the 45th Infantry Division (the Thunderbirds) of the U.S. Army. He attended the University of Oklahoma, graduating in 1939, and he served in the military in World War II.

Big Bow’s narrative-based Flatstyle works capture the vitality and longevity of Kiowa painting traditions, and his subjects include the range of Indigenous life from the sacred to the mundane. His success as an artist can be attributed to his ability to capture his experiences, memories, and worldview through his paintings and drawings. He had a number of patrons, including Thomas Gilcrease, and his works can also be found in the Philbrook Museum of Art (Tulsa), the National Museum of the American Indian (Washington, D.C.), the Oklahoma Historical Society, and the Heard Museum (Phoenix), among others.

The Gilcrease collection has examples of twentieth-century artworks from other members of the family—including his siblings Harding Big Bow (1921–1997), Nelson Big Bow (1917–2010), and Ella Fay Horse (née Big Bow)—as well as several archival photographs of the Big Bow family taken during the late nineteenth century.

“He [Woody Big Bow] was born and raised in Carnegie. My grandparents lived outside of Carnegie. . . . Painting was his life’s work . . . he traveled often and had a studio outside of Taos [Pueblo]. . . . He had his own style, and painted his own world, his own life.” —Vivian Big Bow (Kiowa), November 16, 2021

—Jordan Poorman Cocker, Henry Luce Foundation Curatorial Scholar for Indigenous Painting Collection Research, 2021

This text was developed from an interview with Vivian Big Bow (Kiowa), daughter of Woody Big Bow, by Jordan Poorman Cocker, November 16, 2021

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Oklahoma’s famed 45th Infantry Division was part of the Oklahoma Army National Guard between 1920 and 1968. The 45th Infantry fought in World War II and the Korean War.

The Indigenous art movement known as Flatstyle is also called the Kiowa Style and the Oklahoma Style. Paintings and drawings in this style are characterized by a lack of figural shading, and by backgrounds that have a shallow or indistinguishable depth of field. Flatstyle was developed by Spencer Asah, James Auchiah, Jack Hokeah, Stephen Mopope, Lois Smokey (Bou-ge-Tah), and Monroe Tsatoke, members of an early twentieth-century Indigenous art collective known as the Kiowa Six (first called the Kiowa Five). The collective was under the tutelage of Professor Oscar Jacobson at the University of Oklahoma.

Image Creator Culture Medium Dimensions
Two Indian Men Woody Big Bow Native American; Kiowa tempera on mat board Overall: 14 1/16 × 22 1/16 in. (35.7 × 56 cm) Image: 9 13/16 × 10 1/4 in. (25 × 26 cm) Mat: 19 11/16 × 23 5/8 in. (50 × 60 cm)
Indian Male Woody Big Bow Native American; Kiowa tempera on paper Overall: 10 7/8 × 8 1/4 in. (27.7 × 21 cm) Mat: 17 11/16 × 13 3/4 in. (45 × 35 cm)
Fancy Dancer Woody Big Bow Native American; Kiowa tempera on mat board Overall: 18 7/8 × 12 7/8 in. (48 × 32.7 cm) Image: 14 9/16 × 9 7/16 in. (37 × 24 cm) Mat: 23 5/8 × 19 11/16 in. (60 × 50 cm)
Tonkowa Chief Woody Big Bow Native American; Kiowa tempera on matboard Overall: 10 1/16 × 8 1/16 in. (25.5 × 20.4 cm) Mat: 17 11/16 × 13 3/4 in. (45 × 35 cm)
Back of Seated Man with Hat Woody Big Bow Native American; Kiowa tempera on matboard Overall: 14 × 9 15/16 in. (35.5 × 25.3 cm) Image: 12 5/8 × 8 11/16 in. (32 × 22 cm) Mat: 17 11/16 × 13 3/4 in. (45 × 35 cm)
Kiowa War Dancer Woody Big Bow Native American; Kiowa tempera on mat board Overall: 20 1/16 × 14 1/16 in. (50.9 × 35.7 cm) Image: 14 15/16 × 11 13/16 in. (38 × 30 cm) Mat: 23 5/8 × 19 11/16 in. (60 × 50 cm)
Fan Design Woody Big Bow Native American; Kiowa tempera on mat board Overall: 19 15/16 × 15 in. (50.6 × 38.1 cm) Mat: 23 5/8 × 19 11/16 in. (60 × 50 cm)
Single Buffalo Woody Big Bow Native American; Kiowa tempera on matboard Overall: 11 5/8 × 15 11/16 in. (29.5 × 39.8 cm) Image: 9 7/16 × 15 11/16 in. (24 × 39.8 cm) Mat: 13 3/4 × 17 11/16 in. (35 × 45 cm)
Deer Woody Big Bow Native American; Kiowa tempera on mat board Overall: 13 11/16 × 19 7/8 in. (34.8 × 50.5 cm) Image: 12 5/8 × 19 7/8 in. (32 × 50.5 cm) Mat: 19 11/16 × 23 5/8 in. (50 × 60 cm)
Portrait Woody Big Bow Native American; Kiowa tempera on mat board Overall: 17 13/16 × 13 13/16 in. (45.3 × 35.1 cm) Image: 15 3/4 × 12 3/16 in. (40 × 31 cm) Mat: 23 5/8 × 19 11/16 in. (60 × 50 cm)
Horse Woody Big Bow Native American; Kiowa tempera on mat board Overall: 14 3/16 × 17 15/16 in. (36 × 45.5 cm) Image: 13 3/8 × 16 15/16 in. (34 × 43 cm) Mat: 19 11/16 × 23 5/8 in. (50 × 60 cm)
Pioneer Woman Woody Big Bow Native American; Kiowa tempera on matboard Overall: 14 13/16 × 9 15/16 in. (37.7 × 25.2 cm) Image: 10 1/4 × 9 13/16 in. (26 × 25 cm) Mat: 17 11/16 × 13 3/4 in. (45 × 35 cm)
Female Figure Woody Big Bow Native American; Kiowa tempera on matboard Overall: 15 11/16 × 11 11/16 in. (39.9 × 29.7 cm) Image: 9 7/16 × 11 7/16 in. (24 × 29 cm) Mat: 17 11/16 × 13 3/4 in. (45 × 35 cm)
Round Dance Woody Big Bow Native American; Kiowa tempera on paper Overall: 11 3/8 × 9 1/16 in. (28.9 × 23 cm) Mat: 17 11/16 × 13 3/4 in. (45 × 35 cm)
Sitting Figure Woody Big Bow Native American; Kiowa tempera on matboard Overall: 14 7/16 × 11 1/8 in. (36.6 × 28.2 cm) Image: 7 7/8 × 9 7/16 in. (20 × 24 cm) Mat: 17 11/16 × 13 3/4 in. (45 × 35 cm)
Three Male Figures Woody Big Bow Native American; Kiowa tempera on mat board Overall: 13 11/16 × 19 in. (34.7 × 48.2 cm) Image: 9 7/16 × 11 13/16 in. (24 × 30 cm) Mat: 19 11/16 × 23 5/8 in. (50 × 60 cm)
Female Figure Woody Big Bow Native American; Kiowa tempera on mat board Overall: 20 3/16 × 16 in. (51.2 × 40.7 cm) Image: 19 5/16 × 16 in. (49 × 40.7 cm) Mat: 23 5/8 × 19 11/16 in. (60 × 50 cm)
Two Men & a Woman Woody Big Bow Native American; Kiowa tempera on mat board Overall: 15 × 20 1/16 in. (38.1 × 51 cm) Image: 11 7/16 × 12 5/8 in. (29 × 32 cm) Mat: 19 11/16 × 23 5/8 in. (50 × 60 cm)
Three Indians Woody Big Bow Native American; Kiowa tempera on board Overall: 20 1/16 × 15 1/16 in. (50.9 × 38.3 cm) Image: 11 13/16 × 10 5/8 in. (30 × 27 cm) Mat: 23 5/8 × 19 11/16 in. (60 × 50 cm)
Lone Bear, Kiowa Medicine Man Woody Big Bow Native American; Kiowa tempera on matboard Overall: 11 3/8 × 9 1/16 in. (28.9 × 23 cm) Mat: 17 11/16 × 13 3/4 in. (45 × 35 cm)
Kiowa Flute Woody Big Bow Native American; Kiowa tempera on art board Overall: 20 1/16 × 15 in. (50.9 × 38.1 cm) Image: 17 11/16 × 15 in. (45 × 38.1 cm) Mat: 23 5/8 × 19 11/16 in. (60 × 50 cm)
Indian Man Woody Big Bow Native American; Kiowa tempera on mat board Overall: 20 × 15 1/16 in. (50.8 × 38.2 cm) Image: 14 3/16 × 13 in. (36 × 33 cm) Mat: 23 5/8 × 19 11/16 in. (60 × 50 cm)
Last Day of Fasting Woody Big Bow Native American; Kiowa tempera on board Overall: 19 15/16 × 15 in. (50.6 × 38.1 cm) Image: 18 1/2 × 15 in. (47 × 38.1 cm) Mat: 23 5/8 × 19 11/16 in. (60 × 50 cm)
Portrait of an Old Man Woody Big Bow Native American; Kiowa oil on canvas attached to board Overall: 24 x 20 in. (61 x 50.8 cm)
Indian Male Woody Big Bow Native American; Kiowa tempera on mat board Overall: 15 1/8 × 9 15/16 in. (38.4 × 25.2 cm) Image: 12 5/8 × 9 1/16 in. (32 × 23 cm) Mat: 23 5/8 × 19 11/16 in. (60 × 50 cm)
Female Figure Woody Big Bow Native American; Kiowa tempera on mat board Overall: 14 3/8 × 11 in. (36.5 × 27.9 cm) Image: 11 × 7 1/2 in. (28 × 19 cm) Mat: 23 5/8 × 19 11/16 in. (60 × 50 cm)
The Kiowa Chiefs Woody Big Bow Native American; Kiowa tempera on mat board Overall: 17 1/16 × 11 9/16 in. (43.4 × 29.3 cm) Image: 10 5/8 × 9 1/16 in. (27 × 23 cm) Mat: 23 5/8 × 19 11/16 in. (60 × 50 cm)
Kiowa Chief Woody Big Bow Native American; Kiowa tempera on mat board Overall: 14 5/8 × 11 5/16 in. (37.2 × 28.8 cm) Image: 10 1/4 × 11 in. (26 × 28 cm) Mat: 19 11/16 × 23 5/8 in. (50 × 60 cm)
Indian Chief Woody Big Bow Native American; Kiowa oil on canvas Overall (Canvas): 24 × 22 3/16 × 3/4 in. (61 × 56.4 × 1.9 cm)
Portrait of an Indian Man Woody Big Bow Native American; Kiowa oil on canvas Image (Canvas): 24 × 20 5/16 × 3/4 in. (61 × 51.6 × 1.9 cm)
Portrait of an Indian Man Woody Big Bow Native American; Kiowa oil on canvas Overall (Canvas): 26 × 21 5/16 × 3/4 in. (66 × 54.1 × 1.9 cm)
Portrait of a Chief Woody Big Bow Native American; Kiowa oil Image (Canvas): 24 × 22 1/4 × 13/16 in. (61 × 56.5 × 2.1 cm)
Portrait of a Chief Woody Big Bow Native American; Kiowa oil on canvas Overall (Canvas): 24 × 20 1/8 × 3/4 in. (61 × 51.1 × 1.9 cm)
Portrait of a Chief Woody Big Bow Native American; Kiowa oil on canvas Overall (Canvas): 24 1/16 × 20 1/4 × 3/4 in. (61.1 × 51.4 × 1.9 cm)
Portrait of an Indian Man Woody Big Bow Native American; Kiowa oil on canvas Overall (Canvas): 24 1/16 × 20 × 3/4 in. (61.1 × 50.8 × 1.9 cm)
Portrait of a Chief Woody Big Bow Native American; Kiowa oil on canvas Overall (Canvas): 26 3/16 × 22 3/16 × 3/4 in. (66.5 × 56.4 × 1.9 cm)
Portrait of a Man Woody Big Bow Native American; Kiowa oil on canvas Overall (Canvas): 29 × 24 1/2 × 3/4 in. (73.7 × 62.2 × 1.9 cm)
I-See-O Woody Big Bow Native American; Kiowa oil on board Overall (Framed): 28 1/4 × 24 1/4 × 2 3/8 in. (71.8 × 61.6 × 6 cm) Framed: 28 1/4 × 24 1/4 × 2 3/8 in. (71.8 × 61.6 × 6 cm) Image (Canvas): 24 1/8 × 20 1/16 in. (61.3 × 51 cm)
Peyote Man Woody Big Bow Native American; Kiowa tempera on matboard Overall: 15 1/8 x 20 1/8 in. (38.4 x 51.1 cm)
Eagle Dancer Woody Big Bow Native American; Kiowa tempera on mat board Overall: 20 1/16 × 14 1/8 in. (50.9 × 35.9 cm) Image: 13 3/8 × 10 1/4 in. (34 × 26 cm) Mat: 23 5/8 × 19 11/16 in. (60 × 50 cm)
Dancer Woody Big Bow Native American; Kiowa tempera on mat board Overall: 16 × 12 5/8 in. (40.7 × 32.1 cm) Image: 13 3/8 × 11 7/16 in. (34 × 29 cm) Mat: 23 5/8 × 19 11/16 in. (60 × 50 cm)
Dancer Woody Big Bow Native American; Kiowa tempera on mat board Overall: 15 5/8 × 11 9/16 in. (39.7 × 29.3 cm) Image: 13 × 9 1/16 in. (33 × 23 cm) Mat: 23 5/8 × 19 11/16 in. (60 × 50 cm)
Feather Design Woody Big Bow Native American; Kiowa tempera on mat board Overall: 15 1/4 × 10 15/16 in. (38.8 × 27.8 cm) Image: 14 9/16 × 8 11/16 in. (37 × 22 cm) Mat: 23 5/8 × 19 11/16 in. (60 × 50 cm)
Back of Seated Man Raising Bow Woody Big Bow Native American; Kiowa tempera on matboard Overall: 13 15/16 × 11 in. (35.4 × 27.9 cm) Image: 7 7/8 × 7 7/8 in. (20 × 20 cm) Mat: 17 11/16 × 13 3/4 in. (45 × 35 cm)