Assemblage with Found Objects

Simon Sparrow, Assemblage with Found Objects, after 1960, carved and painted wood with collaged pieces of costume jewelry, keychains..., Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Herbert Waide Hemphill, Jr., 1998.84.33
Simon Sparrow, Assemblage with Found Objects, after 1960, carved and painted wood with collaged pieces of costume jewelry, keychains..., Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Herbert Waide Hemphill, Jr., 1998.84.33

Artwork Details

Title
Assemblage with Found Objects
Artist
Date
after 1960
Location
Credit Line
Gift of Herbert Waide Hemphill, Jr.
Mediums Description
carved and painted wood with collaged pieces of costume jewelry, keychains...
Classifications
Subjects
  • Abstract
Object Number
1998.84.33
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1998.84.33

Artwork Description

Simon Sparrow believed his images came from God, and before he started to paint, he would let his mind go blank so the spirit could enter. He described this process as "sweeter than anything on earth . . . I feel like I’m climbing." He did not paint representational portraits, but used a variety of found objects instead to create glittering images of people's souls. He related his method to West African traditions, in which the gods have "inner eyes" to see much more than just physical appearance. ("Paul Schmeizer examines the mystery art and ministry of Simon Sparrow," Raw Vision, No. 34)

Works by this artist (3 items)

Simon Sparrow, Assemblage with Found Objects, after 1960, carved and painted wood with collaged pieces of costume jewelry, keychains..., Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Herbert Waide Hemphill, Jr., 1998.84.33
Assemblage with Found Objects
Artist
Dateafter 1960
carved and painted wood with collaged pieces of costume jewelry, keychains...
On view
Simon Sparrow, Untitled, ca. 1968-1983, glitter, molded plastic, jewelry, shell, beads, and found objects on wood; artist-made painted wood frame, Smithsonian American Art Museum, The Margaret Z. Robson Collection, Gift of John E. and Douglas O. Robson, 2016.38.69
Untitled
Artist
Dateca. 1968-1983
glitter, molded plastic, jewelry, shell, beads, and found objects on wood; artist-made painted wood frame
Not on view
Simon Sparrow, Untitled (Two Figures, Duck, Dog, and Birds), ca. 1990, crayon and pencil on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Orren and Marilyn Bradley and Kohler Foundation, Inc., 2015.58.18
Untitled (Two Figures, Duck, Dog, and Birds)
Artist
Dateca. 1990
crayon and pencil on paper
Not on view

Audio

Stop 144: Assemblage with Found Objects

Assemblage with Found Objects
after 1960, carved and painted wood with collaged pieces of costume jewelry, keychains

SIMON SPARROW
Born: West Africa 1925–Died: Madison, Wisconsin 2000

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