Talmadge Davis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Talmadge Lee Davis
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| Born | May 30, 1962 |
| Died | November 3, 2005 (aged 43) |
| Nationality | Cherokee Nation |
| Known for | Painting (naturalism, portraiture) |
| Awards | Five Civilized Tribes Museum Master Artist, Cherokee Medal of Honor |
Talmadge Davis (born 1962, died 2005) was a talented artist from the Cherokee Nation. He was known for his realistic paintings. Many of his artworks showed scenes from history and the military.
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About Talmadge Davis
Talmadge Davis was born on May 30, 1962. His parents were Robert and Patricia Davis. He grew up in Porum, Oklahoma and had two younger brothers.
His grandmother, Sallie Toney Davis, was a full-blood Cherokee. She was also a traditionalist and a midwife. She was a great-great-granddaughter of Sequoyah, who created the Cherokee writing system. Later, Talmadge painted a special picture of his grandmother called Quiet Dignity: My Grandma.
Talmadge served in the US Army from 1983 to 1987. He was stationed in Germany during this time. He passed away on November 3, 2005, and was buried at Fort Gibson Oklahoma National Cemetery.
His Amazing Art and Awards
Talmadge Davis was a very respected artist. The Five Civilized Tribes Museum in Muskogee, Oklahoma gave him the title of Master Artist. He also received the Cherokee Medal of Honor. This award recognized his efforts to share Cherokee culture with everyone through his art.
Military Themes in Art
Many of Talmadge's paintings showed military themes. His own time in the army inspired these works. The United States Military Academy at West Point asked him to create a painting. This painting was for their 200th anniversary celebration.
One of his famous paintings is Walkabout-A Warrior's Spirit. This artwork shows Billy Walkabout, a full-blood Cherokee. Billy Walkabout was a highly honored Native American veteran of the Vietnam War.
Brothers Gone but Not Forgotten
Another very famous painting by Talmadge is Brothers Gone but Not Forgotten. This acrylic painting was made in 2000. It shows a sad man in a wheelchair touching the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. You can see faint images of fallen soldiers in the man's reflection. In this powerful painting, Talmadge carefully painted the names of all 238 Native Americans who died in the Vietnam War.
Exhibitions and Recognition
Talmadge Davis's art was part of a special traveling exhibit. This exhibit was shown at the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington DC. His work was also displayed at many other places. He often won awards at events like the Cherokee Heritage Center, the Tulsa Indian Festival, the Wichita Indian Market, and the Southwest Classic Art Show.
