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Collectible Description

Hawkins Bolden and his identical twin, Monroe, were born September 10, 1914, in the Bailey’s Bottom section of Memphis. As his late sister, Elizabeth Williams told it, “Daddy was a Creole man from Middleton, Tennessee; Mama was an Indian lady from Alabama. Her daddy came as a slave from Africa and married this Indian lady after he was set free. Daddy and Mama had relatives from down in Georgia who talked Geechee (an African American dialect spoken along the Atlantic coast).”After an accident at age seven, Bolden began to experience seizures. One day, when Hawkins was eight, he collapsed to the ground, landed on his back, and stared up at the sun. He never saw again. “I couldn’t stop looking at the sun,” he says. “I just looked and my eyes went dark. I never did see nothing after that. I can feel things. I know the sunshine. I can feel the heat.”Most of his works, perhaps all, are representational. Human faces and bodies. Some are self-portraits. A hairy growth on his face near his mouth is represented on some of the faces he makes, created of artificial Christmas tree pine needles, a patch of shag carpet, or whatever else fits the role.A visitor once asked Bolden what he has in mind when he makes a piece for the yard, suggesting that surely he has a reason for doing all this. “Yes sir, I do!” He says emphatically. “The birds be thinking something going to get them. They get scared. They stay away.”Artist Lonnie Holley, who has visited Hawkins Bolden on two occasions, offers this interpretation:

Artist Biography

Hawkins Bolden: Life and Art

Early Life and Background

Hawkins Bolden (1914-2005) was an American artist born in Memphis, Tennessee. A pivotal figure in the realm of self-taught and outsider art, Bolden overcame significant adversity to create a unique body of work that continues to resonate with audiences today. He became blind at the age of eight, a life-altering event that profoundly shaped his artistic journey.

Artistic Development & Style

Bolden began creating art around 1965, initially crafting faces from found objects. His sculptures are entirely constructed from discarded materials – buckets, hubcaps, tin cans, metal scraps, rubber hose, shoes, and carpet being among his favored components. He would meticulously smooth the metal with glass before drilling holes to represent eyes, imbuing each creation with a distinct personality. The addition of tongues fashioned from various materials further animated his figures.

Unique Assemblage: Bolden’s style is characterized by its innovative use of assemblage – the art of creating three-dimensional forms from disparate objects.
Raw and Expressive: His work possesses a raw, expressive quality that speaks to his personal experiences and observations of the world around him.
'Scarecrows': He is particularly renowned for his 'scarecrows', originally intended to protect his garden but evolving into powerful artistic statements.

Influences & Context

While largely self-taught, Bolden’s work reflects a deep connection to the African American folk art tradition of the South. His creations can be seen as part of a broader movement of artists working outside the mainstream art world, utilizing readily available materials and expressing personal visions without formal training.

Notable Works & Exhibitions

Among Bolden’s most recognized works is Untitled (1986), currently housed at the Souls Grown Deep Foundation in Atlanta. His art has been exhibited at prestigious institutions including:

The American Visionary Art Museum
The Smithsonian Museum of Art
The National Gallery of Art

In 1997, he participated in the significant exhibition Passionate Visions of the American South.

Legacy and Historical Significance

Hawkins Bolden’s legacy extends beyond his individual artworks. He serves as an inspiration to artists working with found objects and those embracing self-taught artistic expression. His work challenges conventional notions of artmaking, demonstrating the power of creativity in the face of adversity. Bolden's contribution is increasingly recognized as a vital part of American art history, particularly within the context of outsider and folk traditions.

His sculptures are now held in several museum collections, ensuring his artistic vision continues to inspire future generations.

hawkins bolden

1914 - 2005 , United States of America

Quick Facts

Birth Date: 1914
Birth Place: Memphis, Tennessee, United States
Death Date: 2005
Movement:
- Outsider Art
- Assemblage
- Folk Art
Name: Hawkins Bolden
Nationality: American
Notable Works: ['Untitled (1986)']

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Untitled

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Summary

Giclée / Art Print

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Reproduction Frame

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Nameplate

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Protective Varnish

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Urgent

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Total Price

$ 70

Collectible Description

Artist Biography

Hawkins Bolden: Life and Art

Early Life and Background