Acee Blue Eagle

Acee Blue Eagle, a Pawnee Native American from Oklahoma, also worked under the pseudonyms of Alex C. McIntosh, Chebon Ahbulah (Laughing Boy) and Lumhee Holot-Tee (Blue Eagle). He was a well-known artist, educator, dancer and flute player. Acee Blue Eagle studied at colleges and universities in Oklahoma. He lectured for one year on American Indian Art at Oxford University in Great Britain in 1935. In the 1930s he also founded and chaired the art department at Bacone College in Muskogee. During World War II, he served in the Air Force. After the war, Blue Eagle taught at the Oklahoma State Technical School in Okmulgee. Later, he was inducted into the Indian Hall of Fame.

His paintings depicted scenes of Native American life with clearly structured color zones. Of his paintings, mostly done with tempera paints, only a few could be definitely attributed to entries of the Olympic Art Competitions, as by far the majority are undated, and motifs such as the buffalo hunt recur several times. A few can be clearly dated from 1932 or could be identified by the title. The painting titled Indian Ball Game and awarded an “Honorable Mention” is probably Stickball. It was likely done in 1932 showing eight Muskogee Native Americans with painted faces and coon or horse tails. They hold sticks of hickory wood in their hands and play ball. The game was a precursor to modern lacrosse. Also dated from 1932 are Sacred Pipe Dance, possibly identical to the Peace Pipe Dance, and the Buffalo Dancer. Identified by title were Feather Dancer, Shield Dancer, Spear and Wheel Game, and Warriors on Horseback.