Edgar Tolson, born Lee City, KY 1904-died Campton, KY 1984 Search this
Medium:
carved and painted wood
Dimensions:
14 3/4 x 12 1/4 x 8 in. (37.5 x 31.1 x 20.3 cm.)
Type:
Sculpture
Folk Art
Date:
1974
Luce Center Label:
Edgar Tolson created around a hundred carvings that show Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. He believed that this event, along with the crucifixion of Christ, was one of the most important in history because it symbolized human weakness. (Michael D. Hall, "You Make It with Your Mind," The Clarion, 1987) In this piece, Tolson left the wood bare to symbolize the innocence of the first couple, but painted the snake black to highlight the devil's wickedness.
Luce Object Quote:
"God made the first Adam and Eve and I made the second. But I lack a long shot of being God." Edgar Tolson, quoted in Michael D. Hall, "You Make It with Your Mind," The Clarion, 1987