Earl Biss

Earl Biss (1947-1998) was a renowned artist of the Crow Nation. He was part of the miracle generation in the 1960s that birthed the Contemporary Native Art Movement, along with such iconic Native artists as Allan Houser, Fritz Scholder, Kevin Red Star, T.C. Cannon, and Doug Hyde. Known for his explosive impressionist style and vibrant use of color, Biss was a master painter. He is most known for depicting vast landscapes and warriors of the Northern plains. Earl Biss Jr. was raised on the Crow Reservation in Montana by his grandmother, Margaret Spotted Horse (Crow), until the age of six. He is the son or Earl Biss Sr. (Chippewa/French) and Dorothy Shane (Crow). He grew up in Yakama, Washington with is father Earl Biss Sr. and step-mother Jenny Lee Biss. Biss attended Yakama High School and was soon recognized for exceptional talent in art. He received a scholarship to the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico and to the San Francisco Art Institute in California. His art was first discovered by the Britton Gallery in San Francisco and his art career skyrocketed from there. He has been represented by such prestigious galleries as the Jamison Gallery, Elaine Horwitch Gallery, Linda McAdoo Gallery, Squash Blossom Galleries, and galleries owned by American Design Ltd: Galerie Zuger Santa Fe, Masters Gallery, Gib Singleton Gallery, C. Anthony Gallery and Aspen Grove Fine Arts. His work is in major museum and collected worldwide. Smithsonian Institute Permanent Collection The James Museum New Mexico Fine Arts Museum Whitney Museum of American Art Institute of American Indian Art Museum of the Plains Indian Center for the Arts of Indian America Wheelright Museum Scottsdale Center for the Arts Amon Carter Museum Gilcrease Museum Singleton Biss Museum