Painting by Benjamin Blackstar ( Kiowa ) titled “ Saynday and the Prairie Dogs ” is for sale at Tribes Gallery .
a 1937 tempera painting by Kiowa artist Woodrow Big Bow ( 1914-1988 ). He was an Oklahoma artist who may be most well-known for designing the U . S . Army 45th Infantry Division ’ s Thunderbird shoulder sleeve insignia . Tribes is remarkable for having art made not just generations ago but also pieces created this year . There is traditional turquoise and silver jewelry , New Mexican pottery from the storied San Ildefonso pueblo and others , wood carvings , paintings , prints , beaded works and woven wool rugs . Pate has been fearless in pushing back against stereotypical notions concerning the definition of Native art . At Tribes if a Native makes it , its Native art . Including whimsical “ The Amazing Live Sea Monkeys on the Rez ” by John Timothy II ( Muscogee ) or an astonishing canvas depicting a raptor and buffalo in outer space called “ Children of God ” by Mirac Creepingbear ( Kiowa-Pawnee- Arapaho ).
“ I had a ‘ Young Guns ’ show that was all artists under the age of 40 ,” Pate said . “ It was very contemporary with a lot of pop art . There were a few traditional pieces but not many . The collectors who were in town were excited to see these young artists . It was almost like they ’ d entered a different dimension because of their expectations for traditional flat style work .”
Pop art and abstract work blew some minds . show because I got to put these young artists out there but also I got to educate a lot of my older clientele who were unaccustomed to seeing that style Native art .” Three of the collectors who had been most appalled ended up having a mindset change and became pop art patrons .
Pate believes Norman is the best city in Oklahoma for Tribes ’ presence . OU , its museums and our festivals give her out of town clients another reason to visit beyond collecting art . These folks are a diverse customer base . “ My customers are great ,” Pate said . “ They come from all walks of life , local , international , all ages and nationalities . Some only come in or call once a year for the Native art calendar and signing . Seasoned collectors drive or fly in from other states and the ones in other countries follow us on social media and stop in every year or two .”
Native artists based in Norman including Dylan Cavin ( Choctaw ) have work at Tribes . Just as her mentor Doris Littrell did in
“ It ’ s mainly older work by deceased artists that are hard to find . Presently I have a gentleman who wants a Ghost Dance shirt .” Lesle Pate , Owner , Tribes Gallery
ART
the 1960s and 70s , Pate is now encouraging this era ’ s Native artists . In Tribes now are some unusually attractive three-dimensional beadwork pictures by Michigan artist Carol Diaz ( Blackfoot ). Pate was introduced to the highly meticulous artisan through being a friend ’ s husband ’ s sister . Diaz ’ work is in only two galleries , Tribes and one in London , England .
“ I work directly with each artist ,” Pate said . “ I have great respect for each , their families and art . I am humbled to work with them and have the friendships and bonds we carry .”
“ They didn ’ t get it at all ,” Pate said . “ It was a wonderful
Gallery has pottery from various New Mexico pueblos .
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