Josephine Wright was featured at the recent opening of the
new exhibition at the C. M. Russell Museum in Great Falls, Montana. This is not
unusual because Josie Wright’s image is ubiquitous whenever there is a show of
Charlie Russell’s artwork; she was the cowboy artist’s Blackfoot model. And,
images of Indian women were prominently displayed in this exhibition “CHARLES
M. RUSSELL: THE WOMEN IN HIS LIFE AND ART”
What is unusual about the exhibition is that Josephine
Wright is recognized as a human being with a name and a life. Normally, the
Blackfoot Indian model in the artwork is not identified - hidden in plain
sight. Josie lived with the Russells and was a life-long friend of Nancy and Charlie Russell. They were
such close friends that the Russell’s signed Josephine’s wedding certificate
when she married Charlie’s friend and drinking buddy George Fredrick Tharp and
Josie and Fred gave their son the first name of Russell.
Josephine’s granddaughter Nancy Josephine Clark (named after
Nancy Russell and Josephine Wright) was at the opening of the exhibition to
tell the story of her grandmother. Nancy Clark discussed who Josie Wright was,
how she became acquainted with the Russells, the relationship between the
Russells and the Tharps, and the effect of the Russells on her family.
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| Nancy Josephine Clark talks about Josie |
The exhibition demonstrably shows the importance of Josie
Wright to Charlie Russell’s artwork. For example, a floor-to-ceiling
photographic scrim of Josie and Charlie shows Josie in a dress that is also on
display. The exhibition finally tells the story
of Josie.
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| Nancy Clark with scrim of Josie and Charliie |
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| Dress Josie wore as a Blackfoot model |
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