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| Front side of Appalachian bird roost |
I met Miss Sharon about a month ago when I stopped at her place to ask permission to take some photos of her unique bird roost that I had noticed from the road.
She was an older woman that had lost her husband recently. She told me that he loved to watch the birds which gave him the idea to build a nesting box for them. He told her he was going to make it out of coffee cans that he usually saved for nuts and bolts storage.
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| Back side of Appalachian bird roost |
He placed his finished roost high in the air using a peeled tree as a post. He partitioned the cans using scrap wood.
Notice the types of coffee cans that he used for his masterpiece. He had old tin cans toward the top while on the bottom row he used newer plastic coffee cans.
I consider this bird roost as a definite piece of Appalachian folk art. Not contrived folk art but the real thing.
Yes,it's beautiful and I love the faded colours.
ReplyDeleteCarole Anne -- Notice the tine ones have faded but not the newer plastic one. Thanks for the comment -- barbara
DeleteYes, that's how folk art evolves...with the materials that are available, and wonderful creative ideas. Have you been to the Folk Art Center on the Blue Ridge Parkway?
ReplyDeleteBarbara -- I can tell you are an affectiondo of folk art. No, I have not been to the Folk Art Center on the Blue Ridge Parkway. I am going to check to see if they have a website. Kentucky has the Kentucky Artisan Center that is state sponsored in a marvelous building. Also there is the Appalachian Museum in TN that is filled with folk art. thanks for the comment -- barbara
DeleteI think it's absolutely fantastic!!!!
ReplyDeleteKay -- A true form of recycling materials into folk -- thanks barbara
DeleteA great example it is. I love the idea, and am always appreciative of those who find new and unique ways to use objects that might normally go into the landfill. Wonderful. Thanks for posting this. Love the images.
ReplyDeleteTeresa -- I always appreciate the mind of the folk artist. They see beauty in most objects. Landfills are our way of hiding our over- consumption -- just think if we couldn't use landfills and had to leave the "stuff" on the land to live with everyday. -- thanks -- barbara
DeleteYes, it is unique and it's very attractive too. I hope he had much pleasure watching the birds coming and going.
ReplyDeleteJune -- This roost had special meaning to Miss Sharon as it was made by her husband. With folk art context is everything. thanks -- barbara
DeleteHoly cow, you mean I've been making art all this time??? :~P I hang coffee cans in our trees (those Folger's plastic buckets are awesome for this) right next to our garden. Win/win for everybody. I think this roost arrangement is wonderful!
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful the woman can step into her yard and see the special bird roost her husband made.
ReplyDeleteLinda -- Material objects have meaning especially if they were made by a loved one. thanks for the comment -- barbara
DeleteJan -- like a black tradition of a bottle tree only you hang coffee cans -- I had not heard of this tradition -- thanks -- barbara
ReplyDeleteThis is a wonderful piece of TRUE folk art. It really showcases the ingenuity of regular people.
ReplyDeleteMichelle - you have a good understanding of real folk art made by real folks. You are so right that their ingenuity is an expression of their contextual experience. thanks for the nice comment -- barbara
DeleteI have never seen a high-rise for birds! Quite exotic.
ReplyDeleteRUNEE -- this bird roost was built by the mind of the builder and with folk art it is their experiences and availability of materials that determine the outcome. He saw something that not everyone sees.I agree it is exotic and that is what makes it what it is -- folk art. -- thanks for the comment -- barbara
DeleteI love the idea of taking common items and making useful, unique things out of them. That is a lovely object.
ReplyDeleteHattie -- Yes, I would describe this piece as intriguingly unusual or different -- as is most folk art. -- thanks -- barbara
DeleteYes, it definitely meets my definition of Appalachian folk art. I love it!
ReplyDeleteNCmountainwoman -- Appalachian arts is definitely defined by its cultural environment. Being raised as an outsider from Appalachia,I feel that I could see that its folk art differs in so many ways from other cultural regions. -- thanks -- barbara
DeleteThat's terrific! Real folk art, indeed!
ReplyDeleteVicki -- The world of folk art comes in all dimensions and layers -- most of it seems fun -- thanks -- barbara
DeleteOh great, My "Little Woman" likes this folk art so much she wants me to dump out all my nuts, bolts and screw and build a bird condo. Cool find.
ReplyDeleteGrampy -- Well, start dumping -- the birds are waiting. thanks for the comment -- barbaa
DeleteWhat a unique bird house and a nice way to recycle too!
ReplyDeleteMamabug -- thanks for stopping by. I know your mockingbird mama could not use such a place. Her beautiful nest just would not fit. -- barbara
DeleteI could find a home in this 'condo', I bet.
ReplyDeleteBirdman -- always look forward to your dry sense of humor. thanks -- barbara
DeleteI know I"m late for the party on this one - really late, but I absolutely love this. Thank you for sharing it. You're so right - this is true folk art and wonderful to see. So glad you took the time to take a photo and share it here.
ReplyDeleteContrived folk art would be an oxymoron right? I love the piece but he needed to use plastic for all to cut down on the heat
ReplyDelete