Fiscal Note
No appropriation required.
Title
Honoring the Life and Work of Truman Tennis Lowe (Wakajahųkga).
Body
WHEREAS, Truman Lowe, a longtime resident of Madison and Professor of Art at the University of Wisconsin-Madison has been recognized as one of the foremost Native American Artists of his generation; and,
WHEREAS, Truman’s art drew from his experiences growing up Ho-Chunk, learning traditional arts like basketry, ribbon work and beadwork from his parents, as well as a profound respect for the environment in which he lived, and finding particular inspiration from streams, rivers, and how water reflected light; and,
WHEREAS, Truman began his long relationship with the University of Wisconsin-Madison by pursuing, and completing his Masters of Fine Art; and,
WHEREAS, after a year teaching at Emporia State University in Emporia, Kansas, Truman returned to UW-Madison as an Assistant Dean of Students and then to a joint position as Native American Studies Coordinator and Assistant Professor of Art and was promoted to full professor in 1989 ; and,
WHEREAS, Truman served as chair of the Art Department from 1992-1995, and as chair of the Chancellor’s Scholarship program from 1984-2004 and taught thousands of students throughout his 35 year career; and,
WHEREAS, Truman was selected to be the first Curator of Contemporary Art at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian, and served in that role from 2000-2008, curating exhibits at the Smithsonian in Washington DC, at the Museum’s space in New York City, and at the prestigious Venice Biennale; and,
WHEREAS, Truman created art that was shown all over the world, including at embassies in Bolivia and Cameroon, at the Heard Museum, the Milwaukee Art Museum, the National Museum of the American Indian, and the Eitlejorg Museum; and,
WHEREAS, Truman was commissioned to create a sculptural piece for a yearlong group show of contemporary Native sculptors for the Jacqueline Kennedy Garden at the White House; and,
WHEREAS, Truman was a resident of the Faircrest neighborhood for more than 30 years and thought of, “...Madison as basically the center of my physical universe, and also my intellectual universe. You go out from that center to get more information so you can continue to grow as a human being. That’s why it’s called university. It’s the universe of information.”; and,
WHEREAS, Truman’s calm, quiet, and thoughtful nature led him to be a fierce advocate and mentor, both to colleagues and students, and that his innate sense of humor was legendary,
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Mayor and Common Council of the City of Madison extend their condolences to Truman’s family and friends and invite all Madisonians to celebrate and honor the remarkable life, work, and service of Truman Lowe.