Benjamin Harjo, Jr. (born September 19, 1945) stands as a prominent figure in contemporary Native American art, renowned for his vibrant paintings and innovative printmaking. A multi-talented artist hailing from Oklahoma, Benjamin Harjo, Jr.‘s work is characterized by its bold colors, geometric forms, and a unique blend of traditional and modern influences. His artistic journey is deeply rooted in his heritage as half-Seminole and half-Shawnee, and he is an enrolled member of the Absentee Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma.
A Lineage of Culture and History
Harjo’s lineage is a testament to the rich tapestry of Native American history and resilience. His father, the late Benjamin Harjo Sr., was a full-blooded Seminole, instilling in him a profound connection to his Seminole heritage. His mother, Viola Harjo, a resident of Byng, Oklahoma, further contributed to his cultural upbringing. Viola’s father, William F. Harjo, was a graduate of the Chilocco Indian School in 1939, an institution that played a significant role in the education of Native American youth during the 20th century. In 1954, Viola married Roman Harjo (1924–2006) in Clovis, New Mexico, who became Benjamin Harjo Jr.’s stepfather.
The name "Harjo" itself carries significant cultural weight. In the Muscogee language, it translates to "Crazy," and it forms part of a military title, Chitto Harjo, meaning "Crazy snake." This name reflects a history of strength, resistance, and a deep connection to the land.
Early Life and Influences
Born in Clovis, New Mexico, Benjamin Harjo, Jr.‘s early life was shaped by the close-knit community of his family. The family soon returned to Oklahoma. From the age of 10 to 18, Harjo resided with his grandparents, Emmett and Ruth Wood, along with two brothers and three cousins, on their family farm in Byng, near the South Canadian River. This rural upbringing instilled in him a deep appreciation for nature and a connection to the land that would later permeate his art.
Currently, Benjamin Harjo resides in Oklahoma City with his wife, Barbara, who is a curator and gardener.
A Turning Point: Marriage and Artistic Dedication
A pivotal moment in Harjo’s artistic career was his marriage to Barbara Isaac on September 25, 1982. Recognizing his immense talent and potential, Barbara took on the role of managing his career, allowing him to devote himself entirely to his art. This partnership proved to be instrumental in Harjo’s rise to prominence in the art world.
From Cartoons to Canvas: The Evolution of an Artist
Harjo’s initial artistic passion was cartooning. As a high school student, he even sold comics to his school newspaper. Driven by an interest in pursuing a professional career in cartoon animation, he enrolled at the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) in 1966. However, upon arrival, he discovered that the animation program had been discontinued.
Undeterred, Harjo remained at IAIA, earning his Associate of Arts degree. He found himself among a cohort of talented artists, including luminaries such as T. C. Cannon and Linda Lomahaftewa. Seymour Tubis, his most influential teacher, introduced him to low-tech but highly effective printmaking techniques, which would later become a significant aspect of his artistic repertoire.
In 1969, Harjo was drafted into the Army and served in Vietnam from 1969 to 1971. This experience, undoubtedly, shaped his perspective and influenced his artistic expression.
Upon his return from military service, Harjo continued his art education, graduating from Oklahoma State University with a BFA degree in 1974. He worked in a variety of art-related jobs while continuing to paint, gradually building his reputation and eventually transitioning into a full-time artist.
"The Picasso of Indian Art": A Unique Artistic Vision
Benjamin Harjo Jr. has often been referred to as "The Picasso of Indian Art," a testament to the innovative and distinctive nature of his work. His paintings are characterized by their vibrant, primary colors and geometric-inspired forms. The use of circles, lines, and triangles creates a unique visual language that defies easy categorization, offering viewers a fresh perspective on contemporary American Indian art.
Diversity is a defining characteristic of Harjo’s artistic techniques and styles. Some of his works evoke the intricate patterns of traditional Seminole patchwork clothing, resembling vibrant mosaics. His pen and ink sketches reveal the influence of his early passion for cartoons. Printmaking provides him with an avenue to explore texture and subtler color palettes. Humor is often present in his work, manifested through witty imagery and clever titles.
Harjo utilizes a variety of two-dimensional media to express his artistic visions. He works in gouache on watercolor paper, conte crayon, pen and ink, and particularly enjoys woodcut. The bold colors in his work are carefully contained and formally ordered within his free compositions.
He frequently incorporates geometric patterns, often including hands and faces in his images. His imagery draws inspiration from a wide range of sources, including Seminole, Navajo, Plains Indian, and Northwest Coast designs, as well as international themes and art forms. In addition to his full-size pieces, Harjo maintains a tradition of creating miniature works, showcasing his versatility and attention to detail.
Harjo typically paints geometric forms composed of blocks of highly saturated color, forming both abstract and highly stylized representational figures. The mosaic-like quality of his painting is reminiscent of traditional Seminole patchwork clothing. He also works in pen and ink, allowing his comic influences to shine through. Through printmaking, Harjo is able to experiment with texture and subtler palettes. His work is known for its humor, either in comical imagery or in witty titles.
His miniature paintings, sometimes no larger than a postage stamp, still manage to portray naturalistic portraits. Harjo’s chosen media include oil, acrylic, watercolor, gouache, conte crayons, pencil, pen and ink, pastel, printmaking, and occasionally sculpture.
Harjo’s perspective on the interpretation of his work is insightful. He states, "I do legends and stories, or I make up my own after the painting is done. Sometimes people find images in my painting that I didn’t put there. I wonder, how did they get there?"
He also draws inspiration from the everyday world, explaining, "When you’re traveling down the highway, you see an image whether it’s dirt on the back of a truck or a splat on a windshield or two birds sitting by the side of the road picking at something. All those things have inspired me at some point in my creativity."
Harjo emphasizes the importance of artistic growth and evolution, stating, "It has always been my contention that one’s art speaks from the soul of the artist and remains viable and open to the influences of the artist’s environment. Forms, colors, and movement keep it from stagnating and allow it to grow as the artist matures and develops. I feel that my art covers a wide range of emotions, from serious to humorous, and that the colors I used radiate a sense of happiness and joy."
Recognition and Acclaim
Early in his career, viewers were captivated by Harjo’s brilliant colors and the storytelling quality of his art.
Jim Halsey, a Tulsa country music promoter known for representing Roy Clark, introduced Harjo to D. F. Henry, who had a mobile art gallery in Tulsa. She organized an exhibit featuring Harjo and renowned wood sculptor Willard Stone.
Today, Benjamin Harjo, Jr. is considered one of the nation’s leading Native American artists. His work has been featured in numerous regional and national publications, including Art of the West, Oklahoma Today, Southwest Art Magazine, American Indian Art, and Indian Market Magazine.
Harjo’s paintings and graphics are held in private collections throughout the U.S. and abroad, as well as in public collections such as the Fred E. Brown Collection at the Oklahoma Museum of Natural History and the Red Earth Center, both located in Oklahoma. His work has also been exhibited internationally in France, Japan, Korea, and Somalia.
Awards and Honors
Benjamin Harjo first participated in the Santa Fe Indian Market in 1983. He was the 2005 poster artist for SWAIA’s Santa Fe Indian Market, where he has consistently won top awards, including Best of Show, since 1983. In 1987, he received the Red Earth Grand Award.
He was the 1993 Heard Museum’s 34th Annual Featured Artist, the Featured Artist in 1992 and 1993 for the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian’s Annual Aspen Benefit, and won the Gold Medal Award at the 1990 American Indian Cowboy Artists Wichita Show.
Oklahoma Governor David Walters recognized Harjo for his selection by Absolut Vodka to represent Oklahoma in its USA Today advertising campaign. In 1992, Harjo showcased his work at the Franco-American Institute in Rennes, France.
In 1991, the Wichita Art Museum held a solo exhibition of his work, and the Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian hosted a major retrospective of Harjo’s work, entitled "The Earth, the Moon, and the Stars Above." At a January 2010 solo exhibition at his alma mater, Oklahoma State University, Harjo donated all proceeds from his art sales to OSU’s Art Department.
Public Collections
Harjo’s artwork can be found in numerous public collections, including:
- [List of Collections]
A Legacy of Artistic Innovation and Cultural Representation
Benjamin Harjo, Jr.‘s artistic journey is a testament to his talent, dedication, and deep connection to his Native American heritage. His vibrant paintings and innovative printmaking have earned him widespread recognition and acclaim, solidifying his place as a leading figure in contemporary Native American art. His work continues to inspire and captivate audiences, offering a unique perspective on the rich cultural traditions and contemporary experiences of Native American people.