The Southern Plains Indian Museum to feature Beau Tsatoke in a Special Exhibition (updated June 17, 2022 to announce the extension of the exhibition through August 6, 2022.)  

ANADARKO, OKLAHOMA:

The Southern Plains Indian Museum, administered by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Indian Arts and Crafts Board, announces the extension of the current exhibition, Depictions of the Past, Kiowa Ledger Art: featuring Beau Tsatoke.  The exhibition has been extended through August 6, 2022 and is free to the public.

An online version of the exhibit is also now available at:  http://iacbmuseums-viewingroom.exhibit-e.art/viewing-room/depictions-of-the-past-kiowa-ledger-art

Beau Tsatoke, an enrolled member of the Kiowa Tribe, is an emerging artist working in a variety of media.  Although he specializes in historic style ledger art, Beau also works with leather, quill, stone, and textiles.  He is a graduate of the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where he earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Art with a focus in sculpture.  Beau began his career as a professional artist two years ago, and currently resides in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Born and raised in Saddle Mountain, Oklahoma, Beau was immersed in Kiowa art and culture from a young age. He is a direct descendant of Monroe Tsatoke, the noted Kiowa Five artist.  Beau is an active member of the Kiowa Gourd Clan and the O-Ho-Mah Lodge War Dance Society, in which he continues to uphold his cultural duties.  He is also a loyal member of the Kiowa Native American Church, Chapter 456. 

The ledger art in this exhibition reveals the distinctive influence of Beau’s cultural knowledge and his deep appreciation for his people.  Beau’s creative process involves channeling his thoughts into generating images on historic ledger paper that is over 100 years old.  His use of bright colors and historical representations bring life to these concepts.  By blending modern colors and traditional symbols, he forms a complex design that is unique to each of his pieces.  This style of ledger art is not common the Southern Plains region and Beau is one of a small number of contemporary Kiowa ledger artists that is currently producing work of this style.

Beau is humbled by the support his art has received from the community. He has won second place in the adult mixed media division at both the 2018 and 2019 American Indian Exposition Art Competition, Anadarko, Oklahoma. His art is included in the collections of Institute of American Indian Arts, the Southern Plains Indian Museum, and numerous private collections. This exhibit marks Beau’s first solo exhibition and the first time his art has been exhibited in a professional museum setting. The artwork featured in the exhibition may be purchased by contacting Beau Tsatoke at beautsatoke@gmail.com.

The Southern Plains Indian Museum is administered by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Indian Arts and Crafts Board. For hours of operation, please call the Southern Plains Indian Museum at (405) 247-6221 or visit www.doi.gov/iacb/southern-plains-indian-museum

Exhibition Brochure