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Georgia Museum Of Art Folk Art Exhibit Showcases Unknown Talent

by Georgia Dodge
10/29/2007

Here’s an idea for anyone out there that desires a little visual stimulation - on display right now at the Georgia Museum of Art is the exhibit, “Amazing Grace.” The show presents 90 works of folk art by artists both well-known and unrecognized.

These works of art and their creators are not what you typically think of when you take a trip to the museum: the show features the work of unschooled artists. All 60 artists whose works are on display are self-taught.

Although the lack of training is evident throughout, the artists’ talents don’t go unrecognized. It’s the unprofessional quality in the works that distinguish them and make them appealing.

While traveling through the spacious, three room show, you might stop at a painting and think that a three-year-old did it. You might also find one that you would pay thousands of dollars to have hanging on your wall.

That, however, is precisely what makes this exhibit worth seeing. While some works may seem rather simple and substandard compared to others, the entire show functions as one complete, cohesive unit. The flaws and imperfections in each work make the art interesting and relevant to a wide variety of viewers. That is, in essence, what folk art is all about - art for the people.

Typical of the folk art genre, the works on display are composed of recycled material that you find around your house, in your shed or even on the street.

Artist Gerald Hawkes, for example, created a unique work of art in which he incorporated matchsticks onto a brightly painted canvas. His piece, “Fancy Dancer,” is displayed in the exhibit. Sam Doyle made his piece, “Penn J.B.” by brushing house paint onto roofing tin.

While most of the pieces on display are paintings, the show also includes sculptures, woodcarvings and even a quilt.

“Amazing Grace: Self-Taught Artists from the Mullis Collection” will be on display until January 6, 2008. Visit the Georgia Museum of Art website to find out about upcoming tours of the exhibit.