a jolly rodger flag + the brilliance of maria prymachenko & more
this week in outsider art also includes sand art sold or $170,000, out of this world rugs from iran and what I'm currently reading
THIS WEEK IN OUTSIDER ART
for daily postings of outsider art visit folkartwork.art
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This work was a part of the "Black Folk Art in America, 1930-1980'" show that featured over 400 works of Black art at the Corcoran Gallery in Washington in 1982.
» Read the New York Times review of the exhibit here «
FEATURED ARTIST: ART FROM IRAN
CC (Alireza Asbahi Sisi) Untitled Rug (2023) courtesy and with many thanks to Morteza Zahedi and Sarvenaz Farsian Gallery Outsiderinn
» View many more works by CC on FolkArtwork.art «
OH WORD?
UPDATE: The record for a Clemens sand bottle is actually $860,000 🤯
Earlier this week, an Andrew Clemens sand bottle from circa 1887 sold for $170,000. Commissioned by John and Margaret Leary of McGregor, Iowa, the bottle with stopper is 8 3/8 inches and 3 inches in diameter.
"Compositionally, the bottle offered here corresponds most closely with the eighth standard 'model' from Clemens’s 1892 price list, described as 'designs, sailing ship, names, and bouquet,' which retailed for $4.00 at this full pint size."
Andrew Clemens (c. January 29, 1857 – May 14, 1894) was a sand artist from Iowa in the United States. Clemens formed his pictures by compressing natural colored sands inside chemists' jars to create his works of art. At a young age, Andrew experienced encephalitis, which caused his lifelong deafness.
In the late 1800s, his artwork sold for $5–7 for a jar. A new record for a Clemens sand bottle was set in September of 2022, when a presentation bottle commissioned by Ezra Williams (circa 1883-1884) for 'Williams and Upham Contractors for River and Harbor Improvements' sold for $860,000 in Hindman's online auction.
MUST-READ
» If you’re not yet reading Virginia Chamlee’s great substack— I highly recommend it for some great thrifting tips on finding great vintage clothes and antique art! «
On our weekly Sunday walk to the local coffee shop (think globally act localy amirite?!), I was fortunate enough to run into my former Art History and Printmaking teachers from university. The lovliest couple, it’s always a thrill to run into them and talk art. As we were departing, they gifted me this book, “From Art to Politics“, which made my day, possibly even my year.
As I walked home carrying it like a newborn baby, I opened the door, walked in my house and could hear the groans from my bookshelf overflowing with books that I haven’t quite read just yet. I am a hoarder, and books is up there at the top of my list.
Considering this was a gift, and I’m not entirely sure if my professor was even done reading it, I had to crack it open and get to reading. So far, so good! Can’t wait to find some time to sit down and finish.
» To see more books on outsider art, view my Bookshop.org affiliate page «
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
A Brief Backstory of Bill Traylor’s Works at The Museum of Modern Art
Reneesha Mccoy Brings You The “Consequences of Life and Nature”, Dozens of New Works Available
New Works Available by Esteban Whiteside in the FolkArtwork Collective Shop
WATCH: ‘Folk Art Found Me’ a Documentary on Folk Artists from Nova Scotia
The Greatest List of All-Time for Must-Watch Documentaries on Outsider Artists
Art Environments in the Midwest: Photos, Videos, Info, and more!
Change Makers: Stories that Inspire: Life & Work with Adam Oestreich
FROM THE COLLECTIVE
JORDAN SULLIVAN The Restlessness of Reggie (2022) // Acrylic on Canvas Seed Bag — available for purchase via the artist in the FolkArtwork Collective shop ✌️
Follow FolkArtwork on INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | TIKTOK | YOUTUBE and shop original artwork from self-taught and emerging artists across the globe.
✌️ AS ALWAYS —THIS NEWSLETTER WILL REMAIN FREE. But check this, now a BONUS NEWSLETTER w/BONUS OUTSIDER ART goes out every Wednesday! (Paid Subscribers) ✌️
» free preview of this week’s B-B-Bonus This Week in Outsider Art newsletter «