Clementine Hunter (1887--1988) painted every day from the 1930s until several days before her death at age 101. As a cook and domestic servant at Louisianas Melrose Plantation; she painted on hundreds of objects available around her -- glass snuff bottles; discarded roofing shingles; ironing boards -- as well as on canvas. She produced between five and ten thousand paintings; including her most ambitious work; the African House Murals. Scenes of cotton planting and harvesting; washdays; weddings; baptisms; funerals; Saturday night revelry; and zinnias depict experiences of everyday plantation life along the Cane River. More than a personal record of Hunters life; her paintings also reflect the social; material; and cultural aspects of the areas larger African American community. Drawing on archival research; interviews; personal files; and a close relationship with the artist; Art Shiver and Tom Whitehead offer the first comprehensive biography of this self-taught painter; who attracted the attention of the world. Shiver and Whitehead trace Hunters childhood; her encounters at Melrose with artists and writers; such as Alberta Kinsey and Lyle Saxon; and the role played by eccentric Franccedil;ois Mignon; who encouraged and promoted her art. The authors include rare paintings and photographs to illustrate Hunters creative process and discuss the evolution of her style. The book also highlights Hunters impact on the modern art world and provides insight into a decades-long forgery operation that Tom Whitehead helped uncover. This recent attention reinforced the uniqueness of Hunters art and confirmed her place in the international art community; which continues to be inspired by the life and work of Clementine Hunter.
#3553375 in eBooks 2006-04-18 2006-04-18File Name: B00AXZZYMQ
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Nothing new hereBy Kindle CustomerThe updating of the book seems to all come from Mariannes book. Quotes by the bucketfull straight from her book. Just read hers instead and save your money.0 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Didnt even finishBy gailReceived promptly. I really did not like the book for personal reasons. I was so disappointed in her later life and her story. Yuck. Didnt finish -- put in recycle bin.7 of 7 people found the following review helpful. As Years Go ByBy S RiazMarianne Faithfull has been represented (or rather misrepresented) for many years ndash; her life story a scenario of rumour; scandal and gossip. The stunningly beautiful young singer; the lover of rock stars; the junkie; the actress and the mother. She has fulfilled many roles; and lived many lives; but in this account the author attempts to look past the media glare and discover the truth about the life of Marianne Faithfull.This book looks in detail at her childhood and her parents. When Marianne first met Andrew Loog Oldham and he asked her to record for him without ever hearing her sing ndash; knowing he could sell that look ndash; she was portrayed as an innocent convent school girl. Indeed; she did have a Catholic education; although she also had a bohemian upbringing and was; even as a child; often called precocious and arrogant. Much of this masked an unsure shyness. However; Marianne was keen to throw herself into Swinging London and from her early meetings with John Dunbar ndash; who she later married and who was the father of her son; Nicholas ndash; and Oldham; she embarked on her career. John Dunbar was certainly one of the Sixties beautiful people. He ran the Indica bookshop; alongside Barry Miles (central to London counter-culture) and both were close friends of Peter Asher; brother of Jane and boyfriend of Paul McCartney. Obviously; Andrew Loog Oldham was; at that time; manager of the Rolling Stones; so she was immediately in the very centre of the musical and artistic world at that moment.Of course; much of this book takes place in the Sixties and; indeed; the public perception of her has been defined through that era. Her very public relationship with Mick Jagger; the Redlands drugs bust; her overdose in Australia and her gradual immersion in the drugs scene are all covered here in great detail. It is interesting to read that while the Sixties ndash; and indeed the Seventies ndash; are often criticised for being very sexist; it was not just men whose attitudes were defined by the era they grew up in. When Mick Jagger; still a very young man; faced his first night in prison; he broke down in front of Marianne. This was not a time in when men showed their feelings and Marianne was unable to comfort her distressed boyfriend; and; indeed; was rather harsh about his emotional state. It is clear that; in later years; she was aware that she had behaved rather badly towards him and; also; it is obvious that; even now; the two are still fond of each other.This is certainly not just about the Sixties however. The rather sad period in the 1970rsquo;s is covered; when Mariannersquo;s drug dependence grew and she lived an unsettled and difficult existence. Her many relationships; her acting and her music career are all examined. Despite all her problems; her friends have always seemed to care for her deeply and try to help her. Often her own behaviour has been so self destructive that you cannot help read about it with disbelief ndash; there is the hilarious tale of her appearance on Saturday Night Live; for example; when a chance meeting in a hotel meant those minding her had no chance of keeping her sober during her trip. However; she has come through everything to emerge as a credible artist; with a successful career as a singer and actress. In her life she has battled dependence on drugs; trial by media; losing custody of her son; health problems and more. Yet; she has always emerged triumphant ndash; adored by audiences and a doting grandmother; but never losing her ability to be unique. This book truly does her justice and tells her story without making it more extreme than it was; although; frankly; that would be difficult to do.