OKLAHOMA CITY – When Oklahoma City University approached Chickasaw artist Brent Greenwood to capture the Chickasaw healing tradition with paint on canvas, he was honored and humbled.
Dr. Robert Henry, president of the nationally-acclaimed university, which is Greenwood's alma mater, commissioned the work designed to depict Chickasaw healing traditions.
"The fabulous painting honors the Chickasaw Nation and has a commanding presence on the third floor of the Kramer School of Nursing at OCU," said Dr. Henry. "We love the painting and the unconquered and unconquerable Chickasaws." The painting is titled Alikchi, Chickasaw for "healer."
Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby said that he is pleased President Henry chose to honor the Chickasaw Nation in this way.
"It is inspiring to see the healing traditions of the Chickasaw people on display in the school of nursing," said Gov. Anoatubby. "Brent did an excellent job capturing the essence of our healing tradition and honoring the elders who have passed down their knowledge from generation to generation."
Greenwood said Henry had seen examples of his art. Jointly, they brainstormed ideas for the painting. The image the artist wished to create sent him in a myriad of directions for inspiration.
"He wanted a piece that reflected Chickasaw heritage and that dealt with healing," Greenwood said. "I always knew that most of the Indian doctors were women. The Chickasaw people are really progressive. And, he (Henry) wanted a woman for this piece."
Greenwood began his research by locating old photographs of Chickasaw women who were healers. He started sketching ideas.
"The women had a look about them," he said. "Some even thought they were witches because they had the knowledge to heal. They had the knowledge of herbs and nature."
Once Greenwood started researching and sketching, he said many ideas for the painting sprang forth.
He used images of Chickasaw healer Bicey Walker. To personalize his creation, Greenwood's brush brought his own grandmother to life as the focal point of the painting.
"I wanted to go big," he said. By using a 7X5 foot canvas, Greenwood noted, "I wanted to show what, and how, (the healing) happened. I wanted to show a woman comforting a sick boy."
Greenwood said it was always astounding to him to hear first-hand accounts of how people were doctored and that it really did happen as the oral history indicates.
"With this painting, I wanted to show that connection. I wanted the message to be about her, about the healing power of the human."
He also wanted to show nature in the painting and how native healers relied on nature in many ways. The painting includes images of rocks, herbs, plants and flowers as ingredients of healing used by Chickasaw women.
"People still have an understanding of this knowledge," Greenwood said. "It is comforting to know if I have a sore throat or something simple, I can use this knowledge. It's a link from the modern to the past; from medical technology to native past."
In addition to the images, Greenwood said another important feature of the painting is color.
"I love color," he said. "Color shows vibrancy and brings out the life."
It took Greenwood two months to create this piece for the university.
"As a graduate (of OCU), it is awesome that I have a painting there," he said. "It is very humbling to have something alongside the other artists in the permanent collection. The pride I have in the Chickasaw people comes out in that piece, but it relates to all people. I'm grateful for the opportunity."
A graduate of the OCU's Institute of American Indian Arts, Greenwood earned a bachelor of fine arts degree in 1997.
In 2011, he was selected by the Chickasaw Nation as the Music Festival's featured artist, and the 2010 Oklahoma Native Tourism Guide's cover artist. Also in 2010, he and his wife, Kennetha, were selected as National Indian Parents of the Year by the National Indian Education Association.
Greenwood will be sharing his artistic talents this summer at the Chickasaw arts academy. For more information on Greenwood, his art and life, visit www.brentgreenwood.com.
