OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma History Center Museum is pleased to announce the opening of an exhibition featuring the art of Kiowa artist Woodrow Wilson “Woody” Big Bow, who was born in Carnegie. Big Bow is the grandson of Kiowa chief Zepko-ette. He studied art at the University of Oklahoma under the instruction of Oscar B. Jacobson.
Big Bow is best known for the logo he designed for Oklahoma’s 45th Infantry Division. The exhibit, “The Art of Woody Big Bow,” includes sketches and other iterations of the 45th Infantry logo from the Oklahoma Historical Society’s collection. Big Bow employed the narrative-based style of painting known as Flatstyle, which was popularized by Native American artists in the 20th century. Flatstyle emphasizes shape and contour by using limited shading and perspective. Examples of this technique, as painted by Big Bow, are also included in the exhibition.
“Woody Big Bow was an incredible artist. His artwork features clean lines, a judicious use of color and a lot of white space, which makes the impact even more powerful,” said OHCM curator Heather Franks.
The Oklahoma History Center Museum is located at 800 Nazih Zuhdi Dr. in Oklahoma City. It is open to the public Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
The Oklahoma History Center is a division of the Oklahoma Historical Society and is an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, National Archives and is an accredited member of the American Alliance of Museums. The mission of the Oklahoma Historical Society is to collect, preserve and share the history and culture of the state of Oklahoma and its people. Founded in 1893 by members of the Territorial Press Association, the OHS maintains museums, historic sites and affiliates across the state. Through its research archives, exhibits, educational programs and publications the OHS chronicles the rich history of Oklahoma. For more information about the OHS, please visit okhistory.org.