William Leroy Hawkins: The Visionary of Found Materials William Leroy Hawkins (1895-1990) emerged from obscurity as one of America’s most distinctive folk artists, captivating audiences with his bold color palettes and fantastical depictions of animals—particularly elephants—and the simple beauty of everyday life. Born in Oxford, Alabama, Hawkins possessed no formal artistic training but cultivated an extraordinary talent through observation and experimentation, transforming discarded objects into canvases brimming with imaginative narratives. His work stands apart from mainstream art moveme…