The Road Less Traveled
Nationality
American
Artist Dates
1930-2010
Title of Work
Preview
Date of Work
ca. 1976
Medium
35mm slide, digitized 2020
Collection/Provenance
James Smith Pierce Collection: Folk and Outsider Image Collection
Status
Stored
Location
UND Art Collections Repository
Artist Bio
Born in Brooklyn, New York, James Smith Pierce received his PhD in art history from Harvard University. During his career as a professor, Pierce also became an accomplished artist, whose artworks were included in important exhibitions (including a show on land art at the Hirshhorn Museum in Washington, DC) and books on contemporary earthworks and site-specific sculpture. Pierce was also a photographer, exhibition curator, and art collector.
Additional Information
Loranzo Dow Pugh, 1906-1993, was born in Putnam County, Tennessee. Approximately 24 years later he moved to Battle Creek, Michigan where he worked as a machinist. By 1935, Pugh returned to Monterey, Tennessee, where he would spend the rest of his life. During this time he created artwork, some of which was created with just natural materials found in his backyard. He became known for his woodcarvings, but also carved art out of stone. His artwork can be described as “folk art,” which is rooted in traditions for culture and community and expresses cultural identity. As a woodcarver, he would create furniture with interesting designs that others would eventually buy in auctions.
This is an image of the legs of a human, a turtle, and a snake carved by Pugh in his backyard. Along with carving the artwork, Pugh often chose to paint his pieces as well.
Image is provided for educational purposes only. © University of North Dakota. All rights reserved.
Condition Notes
35 mm slide in excellent condition.