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Charles Gillam Sr.

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Charles Gillam Sr. (born 1945) is a self-taught woodcarver and mixed-media artist from New Orleans. He is the founder and director of the Algiers Folk Art Zone & Blues Museum in New Orleans.[1]

Biography

Charles Gillam Sr. was born in 1945 in rural central, Louisiana (near Alexandria) into a family with 8 children. He was five years old when he moved to the Ninth Ward neighborhood in New Orleans. He grew up with music becoming a very important part of his life, especially Blues music and songs by Robert Johnson, even participated at church singing gospel on Sunday.[2] He learned how to paint by watching others paint in the French Quarter where he shined shoes with his brother. His painting career started one day when he went to Jackson Square and asked the artists for some of their brushes and paint after he gained some courage.[3] Charles started painting and he became highly involved with it. He sold many of his paintings to his neighbors, whom encouraged him to continue painting. Charles Gillam constantly fought with his overworked father, which lead to Charles being kicked out of the house at the age of 16. After a few years he left his home, Charles lived with a few friends in an apartment. They all decided they would all join the military, however, only Gillam passed the entrance exams and was sent to Vietnam. During his tour, he learned that his father was on the verge of death, so Charles went home to be by his side. Before his father died, Charles was able to fix his relationship with his father. However, Charles did not go home with a leave, so the military gave him a dishonorable discharge, and only after 20 years did the military change his status to honorable discharge. Charles will then move on to marry several women until he settled down in his forties to marry Susan, and had two children, by the names of Mary and Tyrus, with her. In the same time, he returned his focus to art after his time that he spent in the Black Panthers and as a Rastafarian.[2] He received his first commission from the House of Blues who hired him to do wood carvings for their entryway. He previously never worked on the medium of wood, but he collected driftwood and carved an image of American Blues musician, Charlie Patton. Since that point onward, every House of Blues in the United States has one of his carvings.[3] In the year 2000, Charles Smith, a Vietnam veteran and important folk artist in Chicago, was visiting Algiers Point and noticed Charles Gillam Sr. had made an effort in improving Algiers Point. Charles Smith made a huge impact on Charles Gillam, and he taught Charles Gillam many techniques to improve the newer artist's pieces. Charles Smith and Charles Gillam worked together to create the Algiers Folk Art Zone & Blues Museum at Charles Gillam's home.[2] The Algiers Folk Art Zone & Blues Museum was able to help the community, which was one of the goals for Charles Gillam[4] while teaching the importance of recycling and creating to children.[5] The Algiers Folk Art Zone & Blues Museum is a current and on-going project for Charles Gillam that holds his own paintings and carvings that are related to Louisiana and African American Culture. The Folk Art Zone and Blues Museum has great turnouts during the Folk Art Festival, which brings the locals out for food, music, and art.[6] These festivals are held usually during November to celebrate the culture of New Orleans.[7] He recycles thrown-away items such as wood, metal, and vintage covers of vinyl recordings, which are turned into portraits of Blues men, paintings, and carved heads of New Orleans musicians.[8]

Education

Charles Gillam Sr. does not have any formal education. He is a self taught woodcarver and artist.

Artworks

Charles Gillam Sr. is mostly inspired by the culture of his hometown. His primary subject matter is New Orleans's Culture, Jazz and Blues artists.[9] He often uses driftwood found in the Mississippi river for his art. His process is to carve the driftwood then paint over the carving.

"Ain't That a Shame"

This piece has Fats Domino on the roof of his house playing the piano while staring at a pink Cadillac. Fats Domino is sitting on the roof away from the rising waters that were caused by Hurricane Katrina. The medium is a carved wooden board with acrylic painting over it. The piece is 24 15/16 x 14 inches and was created in 2005. It is currently being held in the Smithsonian Museum under the collection of African American History and Culture.

"The Crucifix"

Jesus Christ on a crucifix with two people at the base, and two angels flying above Jesus. The medium is a carved wooden door. This piece is 83 x 33 inches and was created in 2001. The piece was sold in an auction on July 9, 2017.

"New Orleans Greats: Antoine 'Fats' Domino, Dave Bartholomew, Roy ' Professor Longhair' Byrd and James Booker"

Four recognized musicians from New Orleans. The medium is a carved wooden door. This piece is 80 x 36.25 inches. The piece was sold in an auction on July 9, 2017.

"All that Jazz"

Four musicians playing different instruments with piano key and record border. The medium is a carved wooden door. This piece is 79.5 x 36 inches. The piece was sold in an auction on July 9, 2017.

"New Orleans Jazz Funeral"

People on the left playing Jazz, while the people on the right carry a coffin. The medium is a painted wooden relief plaque. This piece is 29 x 14 inches. The piece was sold in an auction on November 15, 2015.

Exhibitions

Charles Gillam Sr. has made his own exhibitions at his Blues Museum in Algiers where he displays his own artwork and those of his local community.

Collections

Charles Gillam Sr's work is being held at the Smithsonian Museum and the Blues Museum.

References

  1. ^ Valence, Kari Eve. "Charles Gillam Sr.'s folk art brings 'life' to city at Algiers Point museum". NOLA.com. Retrieved 2021-03-19.
  2. ^ a b c "American Folk Art Vol. 1 Charles Gillam Entry". Scribd. Retrieved 2021-04-22.
  3. ^ a b "Folk Art Zone | Algiers Folk Art Zone & Blues Museum". Retrieved 2021-02-19.
  4. ^ Folk Art Zone and Blues Museum - Interview with Charles Gillam, retrieved 2021-04-23
  5. ^ "Folk Art Zone / Blues Museum". Spaces Archives. 2016-02-04. Retrieved 2021-04-23.
  6. ^ Hastings, Anne Elise. "Photos: Algiers Folk Art Festival Celebrated Local Artisans Of All Kinds". OffBeat Magazine. Retrieved 2021-05-13.
  7. ^ FolkArtZone. "Algiers Folk Art Festival on Saturday, November 12 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. | Folk Art Zone". Retrieved 2021-05-13.
  8. ^ Duckett, Bob (June 2002). "Outsider, Self‐Taught, and Folk Art Annotated Bibliography: Publications and Films of the 20th Century2002305Edited by Betty‐Carol Sellen, with Cynthia J. Johanson. Outsider, Self‐Taught, and Folk Art Annotated Bibliography: Publications and Films of the 20th Century. Jefferson, NC and London: McFarland & Company 2002. 340pp., ISBN: ISBN 0‐7864‐1056‐6 £47.45 UK Agent: Shelwing Ltd". Reference Reviews. 16 (6): 33–34. doi:10.1108/rr.2002.16.6.33.305. ISSN 0950-4125.
  9. ^ "Bioagrphy of Charles Gillam". www.21stcenturycomputing.com. Retrieved 2021-03-19.

Image of Charles Gillam Sr

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