Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Chuck and Jan Rosenak and museum purchase through the Luisita L. and Franz H. Denghausen Endowment
Object number:
1997.124.72
Description:
Like many immigrants to the United States, Gregorio Marzan considered the Statue of Liberty an important symbol of freedom. He created many versions of the statue and in this piece portrayed Lady Liberty in heavy make-up and gaudy clothing. Marzan’s use of found objects, including the glue caps in the crown, relates to the Latin American tradition of creating personal shrines and totems from everyday objects.
Two genuine leather postcards addressed to Miss Helen Sandford; in this scan the address side of one is showing and the picture side of the other is showing. Postmarked 1906, with two one-cent stamps. 9-1/4" x 5-1/2" (size for the group?). They depict the Statue of Liberty, addressed to Miss Helen Sandford, Danville, N.Y. Manufacturer unidentified
Cite as:
Sandford Greeting Card Company and Family Papers, Archives Center, National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution
Salvaged wood (5 pieces) Acrylic paints Varnish Iron box nails Phillips screws Unknown adhesive (nose)
Culture:
American
Type:
Sculpture
Date:
c. 1980
Credit Line:
Regenia A. Perry Folk Art Collection, Anacostia Community Museum, Smithsonian Institution, gift of Regenia A. Perry
Inventory Number:
2007.0001.43
Description:
Hunter creates his interpretation of the Statue of Liberty, an international sign of freedom, with a predominately square figure that has a raised right arm. The red tip at the top of the arm most likely symbolizes her torch.
Believing his true work to be ministry Reverend Johnnie L. Hunter served as the senior pastor of True Light Baptist Church in Dallas for 31 years. Though he viewed his artwork as secondary, Rev. Hunter is considered by some to be the last of the celebrated southern Black carvers born at the turn of the century. Using scrap lumber and tree branches Hunter creates colorful sculptures using a knife, saw, hammer, nails, glue, paint, and glitter. He also has a signature technique of burning the final details into the wood with an ice pick that has been heated over a flame. Hunter's figures range from biblical characters to gunfighters and can be found in private collections around the country.
