Southern states united through exhibit of folk artwork by self-taught artists

    Traditional would be the last word to use when describing the artwork for the exhibit “Folk Art Is” that is currently on display in GCSU’s Museum.
    The curious, bold colors and unusual mediums of the artwork that wraps around the room immediately draws the viewer in for a closer look, but is not necessarily the exhibit’s defining feature.
    It’s the backgrounds of the 21 self-taught artists from nine Southern states that really allows the viewer to make a connection. The artists’ visions, inspirations and motivations turn their creations into a page from their diary, a glimpse at life through their eyes.
    These artists, eight of whom call Georgia home, are storytellers that express themselves on any medium that is close by, they find the need for expression more important than the medium they use.
    Many of the artists live in poverty with not much luxury; some experienced the death of family members and other tragedies.
    “In spite of the hardships, or maybe because of them, they each have amazing stories,” said Scott Blackwell, a bakery owner from North Carolina and founder of the Folk Artist’s Foundation. “My personal theory is that folk artists have tried their hand at life, and maybe it hasn’t been so good to them, so they pull themselves up with the intense creative passions burning inside.”
    The “Folk Art Is” exhibit was created from Blackwell’s personal collection of folk art.
    The mediums these artists use range from rusted pieces of tin, cardboard, and wooden doors, to multi-paneled quilts. Many of the mediums are covered with colorful portraits and images of the artist’s childhood memories
    This non-traditional art exhibit broadens the traditional definition of art, it promotes the message above the medium.
    “It’s more than bright colors and crude renderings, more than gathered materials or an untrained sketch,” Blackwell said. “It is the rawest form of self-expression, the exposed soul of the artist and passionate stories of life.”
    The “Folk Art Is” exhibit continues until April 21.

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Apr 6 2007. Filed under Features. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry