265: FRANCIS BLACKBEAR BOSIN (1921-1980) EXHIBITED GOUACHE

Francis Blackbear Bosin (1921-1980)
Mandan Mother and Child (Third quarter of the 20th century)
The original gouache painting on paperboard is signed lower left front. On the reverse is a label indicating this work was exhibited at the Philbrook Art Center in 1963. Biographical information below indicates this exhibition was in 1967.

Blackbear Bosin was a Native American artist named for his Kiowa grandfather, a subchief named Tsate-Kongia (Blackbear), and was part Comanche as well. He served the United States in World War Two, and as an artist was largely self-taught. He created easel paintings like the example being offered here and painted murals on commission as well. His works were exhibited widely and garnered numerous awards. His three-dimensional subjects include a forty feet high Corten steel public installation in Wichita, Kansas titled Keeper of The Plains. A tabletop version of this sculpture is offered later in the auction.

A book about the artist titled Blackbear Bosin: Keeper of the Indian Spirit by David Simmonds, Ph.D. and published by Carriage Factory Gallery, Newton, Kansas Fine Arts Association Inc, 2012. is the source for the following synopsis on the artist. A self-taught artist, Blackbear Bosin (1921-1980) immortalized the spirit of a bygone era in his art. He rose to national prominence after his award winning painting Prairie Fire was published in National Geographic magazine in 1955. His works were exhibited at museums across the country, including the National Gallery and Smithsonian Institution, and in 1965 he was the only American Indian invited to the White House Festival of Arts. His sculpture 'Keeper of the Plains' stands majestically in Wichita, Kansas, at the confluence of the Big and Little Arkansas rivers, considered a sacred place by Native Americans.

Exhibitions; Festival of Arts, White House, Wash., DC, 1965; Whitney Gallery of Western Art, 1966; Nat. Indian Ann., Philbrook Art Ctr., 1967; Heard Mus., 1967; Wichita Art Assn., 1971. Awards: Grand award, Philbrook Art Ctr., 1959-1963; Waite Phillips Special Indian Artists Award, 1967.

Member: Wichita Artists Guild (v. pres., 1963-1966); Wichita Advertising Assn.

Work: Wichita Art Mus.; Wichita Art Assn.; Philbrook Art Ctr.; Heard Mus., Phoenix; Whitney Gallery of Western Art, Cody, WY. Commissions: sculpture design for city, Kansas Gas & Electric, Wichita, 1969; mural, commissioned by Schafer, Schirmer & Eflin for Farmers Credit Land Bank, Wichita, 1972; painting, Southern Plains Mus., Anadarko, 1972.
Sight size measures 19.5 x 28 with a framed size of 33.75 x 39 inches.
Apparently the condition is very good, very clean, intact, no stain, damage, repair, punctures or tears.
Provenance: The Susan Koehn Estate Trust Newton, Kansas
$2,500 - $3,500