Story courtesy of the Lawton Constitution
6/11/10
BY SCOTT RAINS
STAFF WRITER
With the addition of six rare paintings by a Comanche legend, the tribe’s museum is laying claim to one of the world’s most comprehensive collections of its people’s fine art.
The Comanche National Museum and Cultural Center recently purchased six paintings by renowned Comanche artist, dancer and spiritual leader, George “Woogie” Watchetaker.
“Woogie Watchetaker is one of the tribes’ most distinguished figures of the 20th century,” Phyllis Wahahrockah-Tasi, director, said. “He had an extraordinary way of using his art to depict American Indian life. His work has won numerous awards and has shown in galleries all around the world.”
“It’s also extremely hard to acquire so we are very fortunate to own these pieces,” she said.
Bert Koch, an art collector from Dallas, contacted the museum to see if it would have interest in buying the pieces of artwork.“We jumped at the opportunity,” Wahahrockah-Tasi said.
Koch wishes to donate several paintings and prints to the museum, Candy Morgan, education director, said.
“This will be our first major donation and it will be worth thousands of dollars,” Morgan said. “The collection will be named for the donor and will be called the Bert Koch Collection.”
Since opening in 2007, the museum’s collection has grown from a few owned items and many exhibited via loan to a veritable Fort Knox for the tribe’s art. The museum’s Collections Department has attained a variety of items, including 120 paintings by 22 different Comanche artists, Wahahrockah-Tasi said.
The museum also houses 14 sculptures by 11 different Comanche artists as well as 600 various Comanche items including photographs and regalia. To accommodate the growing collection and preserve the artistic integrity of the pieces, special shelving and moveable walls have been purchased and installed for storage.
“We are experiencing some growing pains, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing,” Wahahrockah-Tasi said. “Our entire staff understands the importance of preserving our history and culture and we are all committed to doing whatever it takes to make sure the legacy of our Comanche Nation lives on for generations to come.
“We are a work in progress but we’re off to a very good start,” Wahahrockah-Tasi said.
