Me, the Axe, and the Wand

James Surls, Me, the Axe, and the Wand, 1982, pine, mahogany, oak, hickory and rattan, 125 1⁄2 x 53 x 26 in. (318.8 x 134.6 x 66.0 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Barbara and Donald Zale in honor of George and Julie Tobolowsky and James and Charmaine Surls, 2005.27A-D, © 1982, James Surls

Artwork Details

Title
Me, the Axe, and the Wand
Artist
Date
1982
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
125 1⁄2 x 53 x 26 in. (318.8 x 134.6 x 66.0 cm)
Copyright
© 1982, James Surls
Credit Line
Gift of Barbara and Donald Zale in honor of George and Julie Tobolowsky and James and Charmaine Surls
Mediums Description
pine, mahogany, oak, hickory and rattan
Classifications
Subjects
  • Object — tool — axe
Object Number
2005.27A-D
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/2005.27A-D

Artwork Description

Me, the Axe, and the Wand embodies the "demons lurking in the wood pile" that Surls credits for his art. This comic and menacing figure represents the sculptor's creative energy spiraling up out of the southeast Texas woods like a witch in a tornado. A house where a head ought to be evokes the home Surls grew up in, learning from his father to use tools and to improvise. The manic genie's mission is both creative and destructive. He will use the ax to cut down a tree that, in turn, will become something new and transcendent. The coiled, muscular body and ancient eyes signal the "power of singular belief" that Surls shares with the folk artists he admires and that he feels any artist needs to create powerful work.

Exhibition Label, Smithsonian American Art Museum, 2006

Works by this artist (4 items)

James Surls, Black and White Tipped Flower, 1982, burnt white oak, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase and gift in honor of Adelyn Dohme Breeskin from her friends, 1986.52
Black and White Tipped Flower
Artist
Date1982
burnt white oak
On view
James Surls, Sea Flower, drawing, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from the General Services Administration, 1977.47.77
Sea Flower
Artist
drawing
Not on view
James Surls, Sea Flower, 1978, pencil on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from the General Services Administration, Art-in-Architecture Program, 1977.47.76
Sea Flower
Artist
Date1978
pencil on paper
Not on view
James Surls, Me, the Axe, and the Wand, 1982, pine, mahogany, oak, hickory and rattan, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Barbara and Donald Zale in honor of George and Julie Tobolowsky and James and Charmaine Surls, 2005.27A-D, © 1982, James Surls
Me, the Axe, and the Wand
Artist
Date1982
pine, mahogany, oak, hickory and rattan
Not on view

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