Woody Big Bow facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Woody Big Bow
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| Tse Ko Yate | |
| Born |
Woodrow Wilson Big Bow
January 29, 1915 |
| Died | July 10, 1988 (aged 73) |
| Nationality | Kiowa, American |
Woodrow Wilson "Woody" Big Bow (January 29, 1915 – July 10, 1988) was a talented Kiowa artist, builder, and contractor. He was well-known for his unique paintings that showed the daily life of Kiowa people, their culture, and beautiful natural scenes. Woody Big Bow's art was displayed in many places across the United States and Europe. His works are now part of important collections in museums like the Gilcrease Museum and the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian.
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Who Was Woody Big Bow?
Woody Big Bow was born in Carnegie, Oklahoma. He was the great-grandson of a famous Kiowa leader named Chief Big Bow (Zepko-Ete). Woody grew up on his family's land, which was part of the Kiowa-Comanche-Apache Reservation.
Early Life and Education
Woody Big Bow went to the University of Oklahoma. He graduated in 1939. While he was there, he studied art with a Swedish artist named Oscar Jacobson. This helped him develop his own special painting style.
His Art and Style
Woody Big Bow painted in a style called the "flat style." This means his paintings often had clear outlines and flat areas of color. He loved to show scenes from Kiowa life, including people, traditions, and the natural world around them. His art helps us understand the history and culture of the Kiowa people.
Famous Projects
Woody Big Bow worked on many interesting projects. For a while, he was a set painter for Western movies. He also created large paintings, called murals, for important buildings. One of his murals was inside the RCA Building in New York City. Another was at the Southwest Museum of the American Indian in Los Angeles.
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In 1939, Woody Big Bow designed an important symbol. His design was chosen to be the official shoulder patch, or insignia, for the U.S. 45th Infantry Division. This army division was based in Oklahoma City. His design shows a yellow Thunderbird on a red diamond shape. The Thunderbird is a powerful symbol in many Native American cultures.
Later Life
Woody Big Bow passed away in 1988 in Bethany, Oklahoma. He was buried in the Fort Cobb Cemetery. His art continues to be an important part of American and Native American art history.
