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By: Stacey Garrison
Not everyone would think of coat hangers when planning what type of media
to use for an art project, but Vannoy Streeter had nothing else to work
with for many years of his life. Born in 1919 in Manchester, Tennessee,
Streeter was the oldest of six children. His family was very poor, and
they could not afford toys, so Streeter began making his own toys at about
five years old.
He dropped out of school after the sixth grade
to help support his family, and spent most of his time working after that.
It was not until he was forced to retire because of black lung disease
that he began sculpting seriously.
Here we have Streeter's
trademark sculpture, the "Tennessee Walking Horse." It stands 12" x 12"
and is housed in the Cargo Folk Art Gallery
Of his artwork, Streeter said, "I know good and well
what I'm fixin' to make when I sit down. I can start anywhere. I have the
pattern in my head. I've made practically everything you can imagine...I
don't even think about it as somethin' I'm doin. it's a habit or somethin.'
I don't know, I aint got nuthin' else to do. It's don't mean nothin.' It's
so easy it's pitiful. Just give me some coat hanger and I'll bend 'em on
up."
(Left) "Oil Tanker" with moveable
parts, 18" long x 7" wide, courtesy of Mr. and Mrs. Richardson M. Roberts
(Right) "Fiddle and Bow," 24" x 7," courtesy of Mr. and Mrs. Richardson
M. Roberts
Not everyone who is
considered part of the Outsider art genre thinks their art means nothing
like Streeter does. Many feel that they are being directed by the Lord
in their art, and even though most do not have expensive materials to
work with, they make do with what they have.
Many times the art is narrative, speaking of the often difficult lives
of the people creating it. Outsider art is also associated with mentally
ill patients, with people who have had little to no education, with people
who have lived in primitive conditions their whole lives, as well as people
in many other unique circumstances. It is no wonder that this type of
art has become so popular in the last few decades. It is often unusual,
occasionally offensive, but always something that has come directly from
the soul.
References
Freund, Charles P. "Outside In." Reason
33.4 (2001): 82.
Moses, Kathy. Outsider Art of the South. Atglen, PA: Schiffer, 1999.
Sonheim, Carla. "Outside the Gate." Christianity Today 43.4 (1999): 40-46.
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