Biography
"Photography has opened a door for me to explore the world," says Tom Fields, "it's a cultural sojourn that continually becomes a new and dynamic adventure." Born in Tahlequah, Oklahoma in 1951 and a member of the Cherokee and Creek tribes, he attended film school in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and photography school in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
He developed an early interest in photography while looking at old family photographs. The timeliness and graphic nature of those black and white images seem to beckon him toward the medium. That began Fields passion for photography. Today his printing techniques for black and white images uses chiaroscuro elements in order to invoke feelings and emotions from the viewer. He says, "My work is all about producing creative and realistic images that speak to the soul of people."Fields exhibiting career begin when two of his photographs were accepted to Tulsa's Philbrook Museums Annual Indian Art show in 1979, the first photographs ever accepted into the show. At that time photography was not looked on as a serious Indian art medium. Fortunately that has begun to change over the years. In 1996, his photographs received honors in the Red Earth Art Show, and Lawrence, Kansas Art show. In 1998, at Santa Fe Indian Market, he received best of show in the photography category. Recently his work is part of the contemporary art exhibit, "Who Stole the Teepee," at the National Museum of the American Indian, New York City.
Fields has participated in a number of photography exhibits, such as group shows in Los Angeles, California, Santa Fe, New Mexico, and a one man show at the Native and Inuit Photographers Gallery in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. "I have a serious challenge and opportunity when photographing Native people." says Fields. "You can't dream this up in your head and give it a title, one has to be there and experience the moment."
Fields work is most influenced by his surroundings. "I've learned to photograph what's close to me, physically, and spiritually." He feels his best work is done when working within these themes. " I like to photograph as close to the action as I can get, I want the viewer to feel they are near and part of the immediate moment."
His family has been a source of inspiration and photographs. "My photographs are a source of memorable times, events, and places that are a part of my family's history." Fields has been married for 25 years and has three children. His wife Anita, a member of the Osage tribe, is a renowned clay artist, and daughter Welana, 25, a champion Buckskin dancer, son Yatika, 20, a musician and mixed-media artist, and son Nokosee, 12, musician and dog owner.
Fields currently works as a photographer, videographer, and website developer for the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technical Education in Stillwater, OK. His work has won several awards in the field of educational media production, and school public relations.
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For further information contact: Tom Fields E-mail: tfields@nativefields.com |