Bird Family - James W. Washington, Jr.



Bird Family is a large work of a mother bird protecting and feeding three nestlings under her wing. The solid black granite metaphorically reinforces the strength of the matriarch, while Washington's sensitive carving conveys a certain intimacy and the fragility of life.

Exhibitions: Bellevue Art Museum, Bellevue, WA, "The Spirit in the Stone: The Visionary Art of James W. Washington, Jr." March 10 - April 16, 1989.

James W. Washington, Jr. was an African-American folk artist who was known for his engaging works in stone. Born in Gloster, Mississippi, Washington settled in Seattle and became a leading member of the Northwest School. Washington’s spirited, but quiet carvings are often seen as a cross between two other direct carvers; the African American Folk Artist William Edmondson (1874-1951) and American sculptor John Flannagan (1895-1942).

Washington's work is represented in numerous private and public collections, including The Smithsonian, the Whitney, SFMOMA and the Seattle Art Museum.

Condition: Excellent. Stamped signature, date and title on wood base, stone initialed, "JWW" and dated "1973."

Literature: Karlstrom, Paul J., THE SPIRIT IN STONE: THE VISIONARY ART OF JAMES W. WASHINGTON, JR., Bellevue Art Museum, 1989.; Ament, Deloris Tarzan, IRIDESCENT LIGHT, University of Washington Press, 2002.

 

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Dealer STEVEN S. POWERS
Date: 1973
Origin American - Seattle
Artist/Maker James W. Washington, Jr. (American 1909-2000)
Measurements 12 1/4" L x 8 1/8" D x 7 1/2" H
Inventory View Dealer's Inventory
Website http://stevenspowers.com
Price SOLD
Contact Steve Powers, 917-518-0809 or  steve@stevenspowers.com

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