Monroe Tsatoke (artist)
Monroe Tsatoke was a prominent Kiowa artist known for his vibrant paintings that often depicted Native American cultural themes, particularly dance scenes, drummers, and peyote rituals. He was involved in the Arts Club in Anadarko, Oklahoma, established in 1926, where he engaged in drawing, painting, and beadwork alongside fellow students. Tsatoke furthered his artistic education at the University of Oklahoma, where he studied outside the regular curriculum for two years. In addition to his artistic talents, he was a skilled singer and served as the chief singer at Kiowa dances for many years, highlighting his deep connection to his cultural heritage. His experiences with tuberculosis led him to join the Native American Church, influencing his work as he created pieces that explored spiritual themes and his participation in peyote ceremonies. His art has been featured in numerous exhibitions and is part of several prestigious collections, including the National Museum of the American Indian and the Oklahoma Historical Society Museum. Tsatoke's contributions provide valuable insight into Native American art and spirituality, making him an important figure in the representation of Kiowa culture.
Monroe Tsatoke (artist)
- Born: September 29, 1904
- Birthplace: Indian Territory (now near Saddle Mountain, Oklahoma)
- Died: February 3, 1937
- Place of death: Unknown
Category: Artist
Tribal affiliation: Kiowa
Significance: Tsatoke was a member of the Kiowa Five group of painters who contributed to the formation of the twentieth century Oklahoma styles of Native American painting
Tsatoke was one of the Kiowas in a Fine Arts Club organized in Anadarko, Oklahoma, by Susie C. Peters in early 1926. Students did drawing, painting, and beadwork. In the fall of that year, special classes were set up for them outside the regular academic curriculum at the University of Oklahoma, and they studied there the next two academic years. In addition to being an artist, Tsatoke was a good singer and served as chief singer at Kiowa dances for many years.
Although he painted standard images, such as warriors, he was best known for paintings of dance scenes, drummers, and peyote cult subjects. While seriously ill with tuberculosis, Tsatoke joined the Native American Church and became active in the peyote ceremony. He did a series of paintings that explored his religious experience, and he is known for exploring spiritual themes.
His work has been included in many exhibitions and has been collected by the National Museum of the American Indian, Oklahoma Historical Society Museum, University of Oklahoma Museum of Art, and the Museum of New Mexico, among others.