T.C.Cannon exhibition, PEM

Tommy Wayne Cannon, known as "T C Cannon" was an American Indian artist, born in the Kiowa Tribe of Oklahoma.  His Kiowa name, Pai-doung-a-day, means "One Who Stands in the Sun". He was born on September 27, 1946, and died tragically in an automobile accident in Santa Fe, NM on May 8, 1978, at age 31.  A painter and printmaker, song writer and  poet, he became famous for his almost op-art pictures of American Indian culture.  He joined the 101st Airborne Division, and served in Viet Nam from 1967 to 1968, earning two bronze stars.  He also was inducted into the Black Leggings Society, the traditional Kiowa warriors' society. He was inducted into the National Hall of Fame for Famous American Indians.

Barbara brought to my attention this exhibit, which was at the Peabody-Essex Museum, and it was a very emotional experience to visit.  His sense of color could almost be linked to Mark Rothko, it was so mesmerizing. And the history!  The American Indians provided the armed forces during the Viet Nam conflict with the largest percentage of soldiers than any other ethnic group in America.  This for a country which treated them throughout our history worse than any other ethnic group.

Here are some of the artworks.  The landscape and skies remind of the Canadian artist Lawren Harris.

Two Guns Arikara

Beef Issue at Fort Hill

The US government provided beef, often rancid, to the Indians, who were often at starvation levels, to coerce them to 

accept white religion and culture. 

Cloud Madonna

A Remembered Muse (Tosca)

I would love to think what these two women think of Puccini!

Waiting for the Bus (Anadarko Princess)

Hopi with Manta

Collector #2

(Note the Van Gogh in the background)

All the Tired Horses in the Sun

Collector #3

Indian with Beaded Headdress

Rain Priest

His Hair Flows Like a River

Those Close to the Heart of God

Self-Portrait in the Studio

I can't find any reference to him having ever been displayed at the Guggenheim. 

Their mistake.