WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Interior Museum has purchased Chickasaw artist Lance Staughn’s “Night Run,” a painting blending realism and expressionism. The painting depicts buffalo galloping down a prairie landscape after nightfall and is one of the largest paintings the Chickasaw artist has produced in his career at 40″ x 40″. “Night Run” accompanies another “spirit” painting titled “Bear Clan Guardian” purchased in August 2021 for the museum’s permanent collection of more than 1,500 works of art.
“I am very honored to have two paintings on display at the museum,” said Straughn. “It was an honor to provide ‘Bear Clan Guardian’ to it last year and such a pleasant surprise to have the opportunity to contribute a second painting to the museum this year. The desire to paint ‘Night Run’ just came to me one evening when I was on a drive. I like to escape the hustle and bustle of Oklahoma City and drive to areas more secluded and private. The wind was whipping around pretty strong, and there was a storm brewing. ‘Night Run’ popped into my mind on that drive, and I went home and started slapping paint on a canvas.”
“Artwork (is) displayed within the Stewart Lee Udall Department of the Interior Building,” said Jason Jurgena, Museum Registrar. “Straughn is the only contemporary Chickasaw artist whose work is represented in the Interior Museum’s collection.”
