Discover Nocona
Burgess is a member of the Comanche Nation of Oklahoma. He is the son of a former tribal chief and the great-great-grandson of one of the most revered Native American leaders, Chief Quanah Parker. Burgess grew up surrounded by art. His father went to art school to focus on drawing and painting, and his grandmothers made quilts and beadwork from their own designs.
"Original Native American Art"
Ray Donley – Gallery Owner
"Strikingly modern depictions of Indigenous men and women from all tribes"
- WYLD Gallery
Featured Artist
Nocona's Story
Nocona Burgess presents strikingly modern depictions of Indigenous men and women from various tribal Nations of North America. His paintings mix careful research, firsthand knowledge and raw passion. By combining brightly colored shapes with crisply outlined facial features and traditional dress, Burgess explores the cultural context, life story and identity of each sitter.
In this way, the artist urges us to update our perceptions of Native people and consider the intriguing and often highly politicized place of Native American portraiture.
Nocona received a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts from the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma and a Masters in Art Education from the University of New Mexico. He was fascinated by how more traditional forms of Native art evolve into contemporary movements. This fascination came to define his focus, leading him to reinterpret traditionally inspired portraits with his own modern slant. It is the notion of the modern Indian that he seeks in his work and recognizes in himself.
By painting with vibrant pigments onto dark backgrounds Burgess has perfected a method that he describes as “painting outward”. This approach produces the richly contrasting colors of his distinctive canvases and gives his art a vivid depth. Burgess’ paintings inspire and educate through their unusual techniques and positive dialogues between past and present.
"The Great Great Grandson of the revered Comanche Chief Quanah Parker "
Featured Paintings
Cheyenne with Amulet
The Cheyenne called themselves “Tsitsistas”, which translates several different ways to “people alike”, “our people”, “red talker”, or “people of a different speech”. Nocona is the great, great-grandson of Chief Quanah Parker, the last war chief of the Comanche. Nocona grew up in Oklahoma and now lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico. His work is included in the permanent collections of the Smithsonian Institute Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C., the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture in Santa Fe, and the Bristol Museum in Bristol, England.
Apache
Nocona Burgess has transformed a black and white photograph into a colorful portrait. Nocona is the great, great grandson of Chief Quanah Parker, the last war chief of the Comanche. Nocona grew up in Oklahoma and now lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico.His work is included in the permanent collections of the Smithsonian Institute Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C., the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture in Santa Fe, and the Bristol Museum in Bristol, England.
Arko-Comanche
Nocona Burgess’ portrait of Arko, a Comanche warrior, is based upon a late 1800s black and white photograph. Nocona is the great, great grandson of Chief Quanah Parker, the last war chief of the Comanche. Nocona grew up in Oklahoma and now lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico.His work is included in the permanent collections of the Smithsonian Institute Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C., the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture in Santa Fe, and the Bristol Museum in Bristol, England.
View All Paintings
Visit our Gallery
If you have any questions about how you can view and visit the beautiful artwork, please call us at 512.657.6583 or you can stop by the office at 805 Brazos St. Austin, TX 78701.
Contact Us
805 Brazos St. Austin, TX 78701
[email protected]
Phone: 512.657.6583
Friday: 1:00pm – 6:00pm
Saturday: 11:00am -6:00pm
