Famous Cherokee artwork by Talmadge Davis on display at Barry Co. Museum
Pictured above, “Warrior Woman of the Cherokee Tribe,” one of Talmadge Davis’ paintings is part of the Trail of Tears exhibit at the Barry County Museum until early January.
December 3, 2014
Steve Chapman
The Trail of Tears display at the Barry County Museum received a new addition in November. A collection of artwork by the late Talmadge Davis, a member of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, was loaned to the museum. The collection is made up of 22 framed prints and about 60 smaller pieces and is currently being housed in the museum’s community room. According to Amber Wilson, the museum’s display coordinator, the collection and most of the other items in the Trail of Tears display are privately owned by a collector who has asked to remain anonymous.
Despite having no formal art training, Talmadge possessed an unusually keen instinctive ability to paint with a variety of media. His paintings capture his subjects in incredible life-like detail. Most of the pictures on display like “Cherokee Dragon,” “War Woman of the Cherokee Nation” and “He Searched for Signs of Their Passing” take on serious themes about the Cherokee heritage, but others, like “Favorite Jacket,” “Grandmother’s Porch,” “Quiet Dignity” and “It’s All Art,” are more lighthearted.
Talmadge Davis was born on May 30, 1962, to Robert Lee and Patricia (Horton) Davis in McAlester, Okla. As a boy, he spent many hours with his paternal great, great grandmother, Salley Toney Davis, a direct descendant of Sequoyah, and she was one of the subjects for his paintings.
Growing up, Talmadge had no formal art training, but while attending Indian School in Wyandotte, Okla., he was encouraged by one of his teachers to use every piece of paper he could to draw on. Later, Talmadge served in the United States Army from 1983 to 1987, and many of his paintings reflect his experiences in the military.
After leaving the army, Talmadge went on to become a highly recognized artist. His work won 34 awards and was seen in 13 exhibitions. He also was also commissioned 19 times to create posters, magazine covers and a variety of displays. His career was tragically cut short when he died on November 3, 2005 of a heart aneurysm at the age of 43. Talmadge was buried in the National Cemetery in Fort Gibson, Oklahoma.
According to Kathy White, museum director, the Talmadge Davis art collection is displayed at Battlefield City Hall all year except for the months of November and December, when it is taken down so the building can be decorated for the holidays. This year, the collection’s owner, who has worked with the Barry County Museum in the past, contacted White and asked her if the museum would be interested in displaying the collection through the holidays, an offer which White said she readily accepted.
Those who are interested in viewing the collection can visit the museum. The Trail of Tears display will be open for viewing until early January when the collections, including the Talamadge Davis art, will be returned to their owners.
The Barry County Museum is located one mile south of Cassville on Highway 76/86, and is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Admission is free and open to the public. Call (417) 847-1640 for more information.
Steve Chapman
The Trail of Tears display at the Barry County Museum received a new addition in November. A collection of artwork by the late Talmadge Davis, a member of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, was loaned to the museum. The collection is made up of 22 framed prints and about 60 smaller pieces and is currently being housed in the museum’s community room. According to Amber Wilson, the museum’s display coordinator, the collection and most of the other items in the Trail of Tears display are privately owned by a collector who has asked to remain anonymous.
Despite having no formal art training, Talmadge possessed an unusually keen instinctive ability to paint with a variety of media. His paintings capture his subjects in incredible life-like detail. Most of the pictures on display like “Cherokee Dragon,” “War Woman of the Cherokee Nation” and “He Searched for Signs of Their Passing” take on serious themes about the Cherokee heritage, but others, like “Favorite Jacket,” “Grandmother’s Porch,” “Quiet Dignity” and “It’s All Art,” are more lighthearted.
Talmadge Davis was born on May 30, 1962, to Robert Lee and Patricia (Horton) Davis in McAlester, Okla. As a boy, he spent many hours with his paternal great, great grandmother, Salley Toney Davis, a direct descendant of Sequoyah, and she was one of the subjects for his paintings.
Growing up, Talmadge had no formal art training, but while attending Indian School in Wyandotte, Okla., he was encouraged by one of his teachers to use every piece of paper he could to draw on. Later, Talmadge served in the United States Army from 1983 to 1987, and many of his paintings reflect his experiences in the military.
After leaving the army, Talmadge went on to become a highly recognized artist. His work won 34 awards and was seen in 13 exhibitions. He also was also commissioned 19 times to create posters, magazine covers and a variety of displays. His career was tragically cut short when he died on November 3, 2005 of a heart aneurysm at the age of 43. Talmadge was buried in the National Cemetery in Fort Gibson, Oklahoma.
According to Kathy White, museum director, the Talmadge Davis art collection is displayed at Battlefield City Hall all year except for the months of November and December, when it is taken down so the building can be decorated for the holidays. This year, the collection’s owner, who has worked with the Barry County Museum in the past, contacted White and asked her if the museum would be interested in displaying the collection through the holidays, an offer which White said she readily accepted.
Those who are interested in viewing the collection can visit the museum. The Trail of Tears display will be open for viewing until early January when the collections, including the Talamadge Davis art, will be returned to their owners.
The Barry County Museum is located one mile south of Cassville on Highway 76/86, and is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Admission is free and open to the public. Call (417) 847-1640 for more information.
