Tom Fields (artist) facts for kids

Tom Fields (born 1951) is a talented photographer from Oklahoma. He is part of the Muscogee Creek and Cherokee nations. Tom Fields takes amazing black-and-white photos of Native American communities. His goal is to show what it's like to be Native American in Oklahoma through his pictures.

Tom Fields' Early Life and Photography Journey

Tom Fields was born in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, in 1951. His father was a Muscogee church leader, so his family moved often across Oklahoma and Kansas. His mother was Cherokee. Tom first learned about photography by helping his father prepare slides for church using an Instamatic camera.

After high school, Tom moved to California. There, he became very involved in activities for Native American youth. He even joined groups like the National Indian Youth Council.

Discovering Photography as an Art

In 1969, Tom attended a summer art workshop at the University of California, Los Angeles. He later studied political science there. After his time in California, Tom returned to Oklahoma. He joined student programs for Native Americans at the University of Oklahoma.

In the mid-1970s, Tom helped with a special project. This project aimed to record Native ceremonies and events using video. After this, he spent time with friends connected to the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA). This is where he first saw how photos were printed. He was fascinated by the process. Soon, he started taking and printing his own pictures.

Studying Photography

In 1978, Tom Fields decided to study art at Northeastern State University. He focused on photography. His work was inspired by famous photographers like W. Eugene Smith from Life (magazine).

Tom Fields made history when his photographs were the first ever accepted into the Indian Annual exhibition. This important show was held at the Philbrook Museum of Art.

Tom Fields' Photography Style

Tom Fields' photography style is all about telling stories. He captures the "emotional landscapes of Native people." His pictures often show special moments of spiritual or cultural expression. He focuses on detailed, close-up shots that truly show the spirit of the community.

Exhibitions and Awards

Tom Fields began showing his amazing work in 1979. His photographs have been displayed in many important places, including:

• Institute of American Indian Arts, Santa Fe
• National Museum of the American Indian
• Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C.
• Banff Centre in Banff, Alberta, Canada
• New Orleans Museum of Art

In 2011, his special collection, “Nativescapes: A View from the Interior,” was shown at the Oklahoma State Capitol Complex in Oklahoma City.

In 2018, an exhibition called Fluent Generations: The Art of Anita, Tom and Yatika Fields was held. It featured art by Tom, his wife Anita Fields, and their son. This show was at the Sam Noble Museum in Norman, Oklahoma.