October 2 2020 #184
Andrew Edlin Gallery: Drawn By I John Byam
The Andrew Edlin Gallery is hosting a virtual exhibition, "Drawn By I John Byam", curated by Isabella St. Ivany, from September 22 – October 17, 2020. The exhibition showcases the drawings of outsider artist John Byam (1929–2013).
Photo of John Byam by Nancy Wechter
In 1929, John Byam was born in the “city of the hills,” Oneonta, NY. He lived and worked at the local trailer park owned by his parents until the 1940s when he subsequently worked for the D&H Railway. During the Korean War, he was stationed in Japan for two years, and then returned to Oneonta in 1952 continuing his duties as a trailer park attendant and taking a job as part-time gravedigger.
In 2013, he died in a nearby assisted living facility. His first New York exhibition had opened only weeks before.
This Is Myself Looking In the Mirror to Draw Myself, John Byam (1986). Pencil on torn notebook paper, 22 x 29 cm (8.5 x 11.5 in.)
What does survive him are the many carvings, signs and drawings he made in his freetime. This odd assortment of buried treasure was discovered in 1998 by antiques dealer Neil Rochmis, who comments that Byam “didn’t see [these] as art.” Byam obsessively wrote in the margins of his drawings some iteration of this humble message: “A Hobby is to Draw Pictures.”
While Byam’s small wooden sculptures are well-known to outsider art audiences with exhibitions at the Collection de l’Art Brut in Lausanne and the American Folk Art Museum in New York, his drawings have remained relatively unknown.
Untitled, John Byam (1968–69). Pencil on paper, 30 x 23 cm (12 x 9 in.)
"Drawn by I John Byam" reveals eighteen never before seen pen and pencil drawings that provide a glimpse into the life of this “most unusual man." Scrawled in a steady hand, the quick drawings document the day’s mundane events and annoyances, overheard jokes and memos, and the people and places in Byam’s life.
Untitled (War Self-Portrait), John Byam (n.d.). Pencil on paper, 30 x 23 cm (12 x 9 in.)
Selected works are available to purchase via the Andrew Edlin Gallery. Click here to view the exhibition, available works and the full press release.
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Barnes Foundation: Elijah Pierce’s America
The Barnes Foundation presents their exhibition "Elijah Pierce's America" which runs until January 10, 2020.
Elijah Pierce; photo: Kojo Kamau
Elijah Pierce’s America presents the exceptional work of self-taught woodcarver Elijah Pierce (1892–1984), known best for a tour-de-force volume of biblical scenes. His carvings depict remarkable narratives—religious parables, autobiographical scenes, episodes from American politics—and sometimes include figures from popular culture and sports.
Couple With Roses, Elijah Pierce (1975). Paint on carved wood, artist-made frame, 36.8 x 26 cm (14.5 x 10 in.)
A barber by trade and a preacher by calling, Pierce reacted to life in 20th-century America through his handcrafted works, which also reflect his experience in one of the first generations of African Americans born into freedom. Pierce’s rich and varied sculpture is celebrated in this landmark exhibition, held in the Roberts Gallery.
Your Life is a Book, Elijah Pierce (c. 1940s). Carved and painted wood relief, 58 x 70 x 3 cm (23 x 28 x 1 in.)
Tour "Elijah Pierce’s America" and learn about the life and work of the virtuoso woodcarver. Led by a specially trained docent, this tour is a private one-hour experience for you and up to four guests. Through his works, you’ll see Elijah Pierce’s reaction to life in 20th-century America and his experience as a man of faith and part of the first generation of African Americans born into freedom.
Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park
Farm machinery repairman Vollis Simpson began making gigantic kinetic sculptures at his family farm in Wilson County when he was nearing retirement age. He kept making his "whirligigs" seven days a week until about six months before he died at the age of 94 in May of 2013.
"The Magical, Whimsical Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park" by North Carolina Weekend | UNC-TV (2019)
The field of these "whirligigs" was 11 miles outside the city of Wilson and already attracted the attention of local people. After the rise of the Internet, visitors from out-of-state made their way to Vollis’ farm too. Without any advertising, Simpson’s farm became one of Wilson County’s top tourism destinations.
Vollis Simpson, photo: wilsonwhirligigpark.org
His work began to be discovered by art collectors. At the American Visionary Art Museum in Baltimore, Maryland you will find his 55-foot-tall, 45-foot-wide "Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness" on permanent display. His works are part of several other collections, including the American Folk Art Museum in Manhattan and once featured in a popular window installation at New York’s Bergdorf Goodman department store.
One of many of Simpson's whirligig's in motion; photo: Martin Brossman
Vollis Simpson never called himself an artist, but the New York Times did. Upon his death in 2013, the Times described Simpson as "a visionary artist of the junkyard…who made metal scraps into magnificent things that twirled and jangled and clattered when he set them out on his land."
More of Simpson's Whirligigs; photo: Martin Brossman
As Simpson’s health declined he wasn’t able to grease or paint the 40′-50′ tall sculptures that were made from recycled industrial parts and endured rain, sun, and hurricanes for thirty years. It became clear that without intervention, Wilson’s number one attraction would soon disappear. In 2010, a plan was announced to create the Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park in Historic Downtown Wilson. Simpson was delighted that his work would survive and continue to delight people for generations to come.
Learn more about Simpson and his spectacular work at the Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park website. You can also donate to help the park in their preservation efforts.
Outside In: Submissions now open
Submissions are now open for Outside In artists (or artists that fit the criteria of the charity – click here for more info) to apply for a co-commission with Pallant House Gallery, responding to work by artist Madge Gill (1882–1961). The deadline is 26 October 2020 at 10am.
Untitled (Queenly Figure), Madge Gill (c.1950s). Ink on paper, courtesy: Pallant House Gallery
This commission will provide an artist (or a group of artists) with the opportunity to create a new body of artwork that explores and responds to the work of artist Madge Gill.
The successful artist(s) will receive £5000 and the support of an artist mentor. This fee must also cover art materials, studio time, travel and transport costs and any framing required.
Installations in the print room at Pallant House Gallery, where the exhibition will take place; photo: Mark Heathcote (2016)
Artists can submit in different formats, including audio, film or text. To apply for this opportunity, please fill out the application form available on Outside In's website.
Apply to become an Outside in artist here: outsidein.org.uk/sign-up
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Raw Vision 106 Out Now
Raw Vision #106 features: Gwyneth Rowlands, Joe Coleman, Patrick Hackleman, Jean-Marc Renault, Nellie Mae Rowe, Monique Mercerat, Albert and La Fabuloserie.
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