Stephen Mopope
Stephen Mopope was a notable painter and cultural figure from the Kiowa tribe, recognized for his contributions to Native American art. Born into a distinguished family, he received traditional training in painting techniques from his granduncles, which laid the foundation for his artistic career. Throughout his life, he not only worked as a painter but also engaged in farming and actively participated in cultural expressions through traditional dances and songs. Mopope's artwork often featured portraits, traditional costumes, and dynamic representations of Native American dances, reflecting his deep connection to his heritage.
In addition to his paintings, he was involved in creating murals for various public buildings, including schools and federal institutions across Oklahoma and Louisiana. His dedication to preserving and sharing Kiowa culture is evident in his work, which can be found in significant collections, such as the National Museum of the American Indian and the University of Oklahoma Museum of Art. Mopope's legacy is a testament to the rich cultural traditions of the Kiowa people and their artistic expressions.
Stephen Mopope
- Born: August 27, 1898
- Birthplace: Near Red Stone Baptist Mission, Kiowa Reservation, Indian Territory (now in Oklahoma)
- Died: February 3, 1974
- Place of death: Fort Cobb, Oklahoma
Category: Artist
Tribal affiliation: Kiowa
Significance: Mopope was one of the Kiowa Five artists who helped to define and establish the Oklahoma style of Native American painting in the 1930’s
Mopope was the son of a distinguished family from the Kiowa tribe. He was a painter most of his life, though he also worked as a farmer. Two granduncles, Haungooah (Silverhorn) and Hakok, taught him as a youth to paint on tanned skins in the traditional way. He was an expert performer of traditional dances and songs, and later in life built his own dance ground to sponsor dances.
Mopope drew from that background to paint portraits, traditional costumes, and Native American dances. He frequently portrayed dancers doing the same steps that he himself danced. He painted or participated in the making of murals for a number of public buildings, including the chapel of St. Patrick’s Mission School in Anadarko, Oklahoma; the University of Oklahoma (with Monroe Tsatoke); Southwestern State University (Oklahoma); U.S. Navy Hospital in Carville, Louisiana; the Federal Buildings in Anadarko and Muskogee, Oklahoma; First National Bank of Anadarko; Fort Sill Indian School; and Northeastern State University (Oklahoma). His work is in the collections of the National Museum of the American Indian, University of Oklahoma Museum of Art, Oklahoma Historical Society Museum, and others.