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Assemblage with Found Objects by Simon Sparrow / American Art
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Assemblage with Found Objects

after 1960 Simon Sparrow Born: West Africa 1925 Died: Madison, Wisconsin 2000 carved and painted wood with collaged pieces of costume jewelry, keychains... Smithsonian American Art Museum Gift of Herbert Waide Hemphill, Jr. 1998.84.33 Smithsonian American Art Museum
3rd Floor, Luce Foundation Center



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Assemblage with Found Objects



"I don't copy. When I draw a person, I'm drawing the mystery form of that person." Simon Sparrow, "Paul Schmeizer examines the mystery art and ministry of Simon Sparrow," Raw Vision, No. 34


Simon Sparrow believed his images came from God, and before he started to paint, he would let his mind go blank so the spirit could enter. He described this process as "sweeter than anything on earth . . . I feel like I’m climbing." He did not paint representational portraits, but used a variety of found objects instead to create glittering images of people's souls. He related his method to West African traditions, in which the gods have "inner eyes" to see much more than just physical appearance. ("Paul Schmeizer examines the mystery art and ministry of Simon Sparrow," Raw Vision, No. 34)

For more information about this work visit the Luce Foundation Center.


Keywords

Abstract

sculpture - assemblage

folk art

About Simon Sparrow

Born: West Africa 1925 Died: Madison, Wisconsin 2000

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