Jerome Tiger facts for kids

Stomp Dance, a painting by Jerome Tiger from 1967, now at the Oklahoma History Center.

Jerome Richard Tiger (born July 8, 1941 – died August 13, 1967) was a talented painter from Oklahoma. He was a member of the Muscogee Creek and Seminole Native American tribes. Jerome Tiger created hundreds of beautiful paintings between 1962 and his passing in 1967.

Jerome Tiger's art style was very special. People say his paintings showed a mix of "spiritual vision, human understanding, and amazing skill." He often painted traditional Native American subjects and scenes. His artwork first became famous at the Philbrook Museum of Art.

Jerome Tiger's Early Life

Jerome Tiger was born in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, on July 8, 1941. He went to public schools in Eufaula, Oklahoma and Muskogee, Oklahoma. English was not his first language.

When he was 16, Jerome left high school. He joined the United States Navy and served in the Naval Reserve from 1958 to 1960. He also worked as a laborer and even as a boxer. He studied at the Cleveland Engineering Institute in Cleveland, Ohio for one year. Jerome Tiger married Peggy Richmond, and they had three children together.

His Amazing Artistic Career

In 1962, a friend encouraged Jerome Tiger to share his art. He sent his paintings to the American Indian Artists Annual show. This event was held at the Philbrook Museum of Art in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Over the next few years, he created many paintings. He won lots of awards for his artwork.

In 1966, the Philbrook Museum of Art held a special show. It was a solo exhibit just for Jerome Tiger's art. During this time, he lived in Muskogee, Oklahoma. People compared Jerome Tiger to famous artists like Rembrandt and Francisco Goya. This was because he could draw a person or object perfectly after just a quick look. He used many different art materials. These included oil paints, watercolors, tempera, casein, pencils, and pens.

Jerome Tiger's Legacy

Jerome Tiger passed away on August 13, 1967, at the age of 26. He died in a tragic accident. His artwork can be seen in many museums today. You can find his paintings at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City. They are also at the Philbrook and Gilcrease Museums in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Other places include the OSU Museum of Art in Stillwater, and the Five Civilized Tribes Museum in Muskogee, Oklahoma. The Woolaroc Museum near Bartlesville, Oklahoma also has his art. You can also see his work at the Museum of New Mexico in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The Museum of the American Indian and the Bureau of Indian Affairs also display his art.

Jerome's brother, Johnny Tiger, Jr., became a successful artist. His daughter, Dana Tiger, is also a well-known artist. His son, Chris, was also starting to become an artist but passed away in 1990. Jerome's other daughter, Lisa Tiger, is famous for teaching about AIDS and being a motivational speaker. Many of Jerome Tiger's relatives were also artists. This includes Edmond Joshua, Jr. (1936–2005) and his brother Lee Roy Joshua (died 2001). Both were mainly painters. They used oil, acrylic, and watercolor. Edmond also created sculptures.

See also

• Bacone school
• List of Native American artists from Oklahoma