scary spotted pig

this week in outsider art includes a felipe benito archuleta pig, two stunning polish and ukraine pieces of folk art, plus the great pyramids of iowa and a dinner date

May 26, 2024

THIS WEEK IN OUTSIDER ART

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**FELIPE BENITO ARCHULETA** Spotted Pig (ca. 1975) // Carved and painted cottonwood with hemp; 24 × 17 1/2 × 46 in. (60.96 × 44.45 × 116.84 cm) via *Milwaukee Art Museum*

**KATARZYNA GAWŁOWA** Praying Figure (with Angels) (1975-1985) // Oil on board; 23 1/2 × 22 3/4 in (59.7 × 57.8 cm) via *ZQ Gallery*

beautiful untitled Maria Prymachenko work circa 1980s via *Saatchi Gallery*

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**ARTIST UNIDENTIFIED** (Possibly Richard Brunton) Lovebirds Printing Block (late 18th century; probably New England) // Wood; 3 1/4 x 2 5/8 x 17/8) via *American Folk Art Museum*

**SACHIHO TODA** Medama Oyaji Sake Cup (2018; Japan) // Ceramic, glaze; (5.5 × 6.5 × 7 cm) via *Museum of International Folk Art*

**KATE CLAYTON "GRANNY" DONALDSON** Cow Blanket (1937; Brasstown, North Carolina) // Wool with wool appliqué; 29 × 28" via *American Folk Art Museum*

**EMMA JUNIOR LEWIS** Devil Boat (1992) // Wood, paint; 18 × 19 1/4 × 5 1/2 in. (45.7201 × 48.8951 × 13.97 cm) via *Museum of International Folk Art*

Marvin Bailey eyeball jug via *Ledbetter Folk Art Auctions*

**MELVIN WAY** Purple Haze (c. 2008) // Pen on found paper; 7.5 x 8.25 inches via *Andrew Edlin Gallery*

**WILLIAM NOTZKE** Jubilee Rock Garden (c. 1939-1963) // Rose and Crystal Quartz from Colorado and Arkansas

William Notzke, born in 1902 in Jubilee Township, was a farmer, a tinkerer, and as stubborn as they come. He didn't much care for the government's rules and regulations, but he did want to make the people who came to purchase milk from his dairy farm happy.
What started in the 1930s as an Art Deco style farm building on 15 acres of land remains only the rock garden, archway, and a few flower beds near the house, completed over a few decades to the displeasure of his wife, Ethel. Even though she didn't care much for William's creations, he would often create random machines including his own ice cream maker, this didn't stop William from creating a beautiful art environment that included as a final touch, built in 1963 and dedicated to his late wife Ethel in 1974 once completed, a massive archway gate situated at the front of the driveway that stands 16 feet high and 27 feet wide, incorporating 25 tons of concrete and rock.
Admitting that his wife Ethel probably wouldn't care much for it, William made room for lights on the archway that would only light up twice a year, on Memorial Day and May 14th, Ethel's birthday.

Gravestone attributed to Nathaniel Phelps (1721–1789) located in Bridge Street Cemetery, Northampton, Massachusetts // A red sandstone grave for Col. Seth Pomeroy (1706–1777) via *Incollect*

Pectoral of a winged Egyptian goddess, probably Nut (ca. 1295–1186 B.C.) // Faience, blue glaze; H. 10.7 × W. 19 × Th. 2.8 cm (4 3/16 × 7 1/2 × 1 1/8 in.) -- From Egypt, Upper Egypt, Thebes via *The Met Museum*

This represents a winged female figure, perhaps the sky goddess Nut, who is often seen protecting the deceased. Holes in the upper and lower edges of the pectoral would have been used to attach the piece to the wrappings of the mummy, right over the chest.

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WATCHING AND READING

Here are a few things I’ve been watching this past week:

Here are a few things I’ve been reading this past week:

In about two weeks, the staff of the American Folk Art Museum will vote to unionize. That’s a good thing. In the past few years workers at museums across the country — MoMa, Philadelphia Museum of Art, and the Brooklyn Museum to name a few — have formed unions. That’s a great thing.

Of course, we all love art, we all want to see art, but if you ever have worked at a museum before (I have!) you know it’s these people, the museum works, that make seeing and engaging in these priceless, inspirational, and beautiful works of art possible. For a long time people joining unions have gotten a bad rap, as in they hate the place they work for. It would seem, especially at museums, that is the farthest thing from the truth.

“I love the Museum, its exhibitions and programs,” Jean Seestadt, Manager of Events, says, “but I want employment here to be sustainable over a longer period. We’ve seen too many great colleagues leave.”

I believe, it’s safe to say, they love the museum so much that that is why they want a union, to make it an equitable place to work that treats everyone as fairly as possible. This is a good thing. Good luck to the museum workers and the museum.

OH WORD?

» The Great Pyramids of Iowa «

As mentioned last week, my son and I are obsessed with Ancient Egypt and the Great Pyramids of Giza. So imagine our excitement when I discovered a cemetery within driving range featured three pyramids.

I give you, “The Great Pyramids of Iowa” — built in 1939 of sandstone and cement, they were meant to be the final resting spot of Axel Peterson, a local publisher and fan of Egyptian history.

Located at Hickory Grove Cemetery in the unincorporated town of Avery, Iowa (right next to Albia and about an hour and twenty minutes southeast of Des Moines unless your kids need to stop and go potty), these three pyramids — which are a small scale, two 10 feet and the tallest measuring 14 feet tall — dimension accurate replica of the pyramids of Giza.

**From 1941:** Axel Peterson inspects the interior of a pyramid in which he expects to be buried. The "time-proof" ceiling and walls are the upside-down iron bed of a dump truck which Peterson bought for $4. The exterior is of native sandstone and concrete. *(Photo via Des Moines Register File Photo)*

Peterson actually created these to be tombs for him and his best friend. The larger of the three structures was intended for him. His wishes for where he will be laid to rest were not respected. The historian was buried in another town.
There's no official reason as to why this man's last requests were not granted. What we do know though is that all three of these tombs remain empty to this day. — Avery Pyramids

Unfortunately, Peterson’s final wish wasn’t granted and he was buried in the town over. The tomb laid empty and once laid open for all to see, now it has been locked by both iron and land and makes for a lovely Sunday road trip with the family.

If you are ever in Iowa, or anywhere in the Midwest — check out my list of must-see Art Environments I’ve visited. More to come!

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SHOUT OUT

Shout out to Jody Pendarvis, whose UFO Welcome Center in Bowman, South Carolina burned to the ground (as well as his home next door) just a few weeks ago. If you are willing and able, there is a GoFundMe set up to try and help Jody’s efforts.

“You never know if a UFO ‘gon pop up here. I wouldn’t be surprised if one’s coming down tonight just to to land in the parking lot.” - Jody Pendarvis

donate here

FROM THE COLLECTIVE

SARAH LEE is a self-taught Irish artist and illustrator working in London. Working full-time as a nurse and at a charity that runs workshops for people with mental health conditions. When she isn’t working or spending time with her daughter, Sarah paints every chance she gets.

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