Freeing Art from Wood to Open on July 24, 2006 at the Library of
Virginia

 

 

Contact:           

Janice M. Hathcock
804-692-3592

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(RICHMOND, Va.) -- Freeing Art from Wood: The Sculpture of Leslie
Garland Bolling will open at the Library of Virginia, Richmond,
Virginia, on Monday, July 24, 2006. A self-taught sculptor, Bolling
(1898-1955) received national acclaim through exhibitions sponsored by
the Harmon Foundation in the 1930s and in 1935 became the first African
American artist in Virginia to have a one-man exhibition. Born in Surry
County, Virginia, in 1898, Bolling spent most of his life in Richmond
working as a porter during the day and carving his figures whenever he
had time. Carl Van Vechten, closely connected to the Harlem Renaissance
compared his nude figures favorably to those by Gaston Lachaise. Thomas
Hart Benton cited Bolling as an example of why people should support
their local artists. Bolling died in New York in 1955. As recently as
2001, the locations of fewer than ten sculptures were known. Most of the
located work remains in private hands.

 

Freeing Art from Wood includes 30 sculptures that demonstrate the range
of Bolling's interests. Works to be exhibited include three of his
famous "Days of the Week" series-Aunt Monday, Sister Tuesday, and
Cousin-on-Friday-as well as portraits and nude figures. Bolling was
praised for his sculptures that show ordinary people going about their
everyday activities. Using as his models friends from his Richmond
neighborhood, Bolling showed himself to be a keen observer of the human
anatomy and movement. He depicted African Americans working at their
daily jobs or enjoying a moment of leisure, and his nude figures
emphasize the beauty of the human form. The sculptures demonstrate an
easy naturalism in their gestures and movement. Figures shift their
weight to one leg as they wash or iron clothes or stride with their arms
swinging slightly as they balance their loads. Generally carved in
poplar, all the sculptures measure less than 20 inches in height. 

 

The exhibition continues through Saturday, October 21, 2006. The
exhibition will be open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. A
full-color illustrated catalog is available from the Virginia Shop at
the Library of Virginia. The Library of Virginia is located in historic
downtown Richmond, Virginia.

 

 

Barbara C. Batson

Exhibitions Coordinator

The Library of Virginia

800 East Broad Street

Richmond, VA 23219-8000

804-692-3518

 

 


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