TC Cannon: Artworks of a Native Son Return Home

"Hopi with Manta" by TC Cannon print still in packaging.

In a historic homecoming that bridges past and present, several original works by T.C. Cannon, one of the most influential Native American artists of the 20th century, are returning to Anadarko, Oklahoma. The pieces will be showcased at the Susan Peters Gallery during the American Indian Exposition, opening Wednesday, October 30th, 2024, at McKee's Indian Store.

T.C. Cannon at IAIA, circa 1965-1966, courtesy the Archives of the Institute of American Indian Arts

Tommy Wayne "T.C." Cannon, born in 1946 in Lawton and raised in the farming community of Gracemont, emerged from the rich cultural soil of Caddo County to become a transformative figure in Native American art. His Kiowa name, Pai-doung-u-day (One Who Stands In The Sun), proved prescient as his artistic brilliance illuminated new pathways for Indigenous expression. 

Caddo Nation Chairman Bobby Gonzalez, a passionate advocate for Cannon's legacy, emphasizes the artist's enduring importance: "It's vital that we remember who TC Cannon is as an artist, and what he meant to the betterment of Indian country and to the United States and really the world of art." Gonzales points to Cannon's unique ability to merge his native heritage with contemporary vision, creating works that spoke to both traditional and modern experiences. For that reason, the Caddo Nation acted quickly when we recently had an opportunity to acquire a limited number of original block prints from the Zaplin Lampert Gallery in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Chairman Bobby Gonzalez with "Turn of the Century Dandy by TC Cannon."

Drawing from his Caddo and Kiowa heritage, Cannon revolutionized Native American art by shattering traditional constraints. His innovative approach merged Indigenous themes with contemporary art movements, including Pop Art and Fauvism. His canvases burst with vibrant colors and portrayed Native Americans in ways that challenged conventional representation, often placing traditional elements alongside modern contexts.

Cannon's genius extended beyond his artwork. A Vietnam War veteran, he was deeply engaged with world events, politics, and economics. His poetry, which remains relevant today, reflected the same penetrating insight that characterized his visual art. Despite his tragic death in 1978 at just 31 years of age, his influence on Native American art has only grown stronger with time.

"Tosca, A Remembered Muse" from "Of God and Mortal Men: TC Cannon," Museum of New Mexico Press.

As Chairman Gonzales notes, "Our children and our community and our kids need to remember who he is, what he stood for, and how he defended our country during the Vietnam War." The exhibition at McKee’s Indian Store’s Susan Peter’s Gallery during the American Indian Exposition November 30th through November 2nd of this year offers an opportunity for new generations to connect with Cannon's legacy in the very region that helped shape his artistic vision.

The Caddo Nation's acquisition of these works ensures that Cannon's artistic legacy will be preserved within the community that nurtured his early development. This homecoming carries special significance as it allows local tribal and non-tribal people alike to engage with art that changed the landscape of Native American expression.

Chairman Bobby Gonzalez and Vice President Caddo Nation Economic Development Authority with "Twentieth Century Dandy" by TC Canon

T.C. Cannon at IAIA, circa 1965-1966, the Archives of the Institute of American Indian Arts

"There's a lot going on in this world today that echoes the same time period that he was creating these great works of art," Gonzales reflects. "We still remember him, and we still are amazed at his brilliance and his work and the things that he said and how he said it."

The modest exhibition stands as a testament to the enduring power of Cannon's vision and his ability to bridge traditional and contemporary art forms. It reminds us that from the small farming communities of Caddo County can emerge artists of world-changing vision and impact. Visitors to the American Indian Exposition will have the opportunity to experience firsthand the power and brilliance of an artist who forever changed the way Native American art is perceived and created.

The exhibition opens to the public on October 30th, 2024, offering a rare opportunity to see these important works in their cultural homeland. It serves as a powerful reminder that artistic genius can emerge from any corner of our world, even a small farming community in western Oklahoma, and go on to transform the global artistic landscape.