The late Benjamin Harjo Jr. (Absentee Shawnee/ Seminole) was often described as the “Picasso of Native American Art,” according to his website. His work tends to feature vibrant colors and subtle complexities, catching the eye of private collectors and museums alike.

Now, 86 of his pieces are displayed at the “benjamin harjo JR.: from here to there” exhibit at his alma mater, Oklahoma State University, where he studied fine arts. The exhibit will be on display at the OSU Museum of Art until September 7.

In a decade-old interview with retired OSU art professor Chris Ramsay, he joked that his portraits colored outside the lines of traditional teachings.

“I know that I upset the model on several occasions because when she would peek around my drawing board, the drawings would look nothing like her,” he said with a laugh.

Harjo passed away in 2023 and is remembered for his sense of humor and abstract art.

His artwork can also be found in multiple museums across the state, including the Gilcrease Museum in Tulsa and Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art in Shawnee.