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February Issue
2011
SC State Museum in Columbia, SC, Offers
Folk Art from its Collection
A large exhibition of traditional South Carolina
folk art will open Feb. 26, 2011, in the South Carolina State
Museum's Lipscomb Art Gallery. Uncommon Folk: Folk Art from
the Collection of the South Carolina State Museum will feature
art made by everyday, untrained-but-talented people whose works
served to fill a need before they became recognized as a distinct
art form. The exhibition will be on view through Oct. 31, 2011.
Quilts, stoneware or Catawba Indian pots, sweetgrass or split
oak baskets are representative of the many utilitarian objects
included in the exhibition, but there are many more that can be
appreciated solely for their aesthetic qualities.
"The term 'folk art' reflects traditional, community-based
works or art that have grown out of a specific need within a group
of individuals sharing common interests and practices," said
Curator of Art Paul Matheny. "Historically speaking, communities
depended on artists and craftspeople within their towns and villages
to provide everyday objects made from material that was readily
available and found locally.
"These objects often were needed for everyday survival and
were hand-made, not mass produced. In addition to the 'core' elements
of quilts, pots and baskets, works by self-taught artists connected
to a specific tradition also are included in the show."
These include many artifacts that have rarely, or often never,
been seen in the museum's exhibits, such as: a large part of L.C.
Carson's "concrete city," including three recently-conserved
reproductions of the Roman Colosseum, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon
and a Central American temple; a wild west town made of coat hangers;
silhouettes made by Carew Rice and his grandson Clay, including
a Clay Rice silhouette of the late master Charleston blacksmith
Phillip Simmons; turkey calls and decoys; Lowcountry shrimp nets;
a flat bottom boat by Willie DeReef, the last of the Gullah boat
makers; whimsical metal "whirligigs;" paintings; drawings;
metal toys such as a windmill, truck and tractor; and wood carvings
by Dan Robert Miller.
"One thing I'm excited about is our recent acquisition of
several textiles," said Matheny. "They include a Williamsburg
County-made flag dress and bonnet from 1917 and two narrative
quilts from Marion County featuring images of farm life and hunting.
Also, newly-acquired stoneware pottery by Michele Bayne and Peter
Lenzo are thrilling new additions to our collection."
The exhibit is a joint partnership with South Carolina ETV. The
state television network will produce a documentary film, also
called Uncommon Folk, which will focus on seven South Carolina
folk artists. The film will premiere at the State Museum on Feb.
26, the opening day of the exhibit.
"By coincidence, that's also the birthday of L.C. Carson,
one of the exhibit's featured artists," said Matheny.
"We are fortunate to live in a state with craftspeople who
are willing to recognize historical crafts," said the curator.
"We're thankful that these artists are interested in embracing
these traditions, and incorporating them into their own work for
future generations to enjoy and learn from."
For more info check our SC Institutional Gallery listings,
call 803/898-4921 or visit (www.southcarolinastatemuseum.org).
Carolina Arts is published monthly by Shoestring Publishing Company, a subsidiary of PSMG, Inc. Copyright© 2011 by PSMG, Inc., which published Charleston Arts from July 1987 - Dec. 1994 and South Carolina Arts from Jan. 1995 - Dec. 1996. It also publishes Carolina Arts Online, Copyright© 2011 by PSMG, Inc. All rights reserved by PSMG, Inc. or by the authors of articles. Reproduction or use without written permission is strictly prohibited. Carolina Arts is available throughout North & South Carolina.