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During it’s nearly 20 years, Intuit has shown its ability to cull through the myriad of self-taught art to find and elevate those artists worthy of greater attention. In that spirit, the exhibition Culprits, Innocents and Outsiders: Heartland Visions presents seven extraordinary artists whose undeniable individuality is highly evident in the art they produced. In addition to works by venerable artists William Hawkins (1895-1990) and Elijah Pierce (1892-1984), the exhibit showcases the art of Mary Borkowski (1916-2008), best known for her “silk thread paintings”; Mary Frances Merrill (1920-1999), whose painted and decorated coal and rock heads serve as rare American examples of art brut; painter/sculptor David Pond (1940-2001); sculptor Ernest “Popeye” Reed (1919-1985); and visionary Morris Ben Newman (1883-1980). This exhibition takes on somewhat of an historical significance, in that, its inspiration grew from accounts of a 1986 exhibition 1 + 3 from Ohio, organized by Ohio University art historian Gary J. Schwindler. That exhibition featured works by William Hawkins, Mary Merrill, and Morris Newman, as well as a small selection of works by Elijah Pierce. Included in Culprits, Innocents and Outsiders:Heartland Visions are representative works from each artist drawn from several stellar Midwest public and private collections. Lenders include the Milwaukee Art Museum (WI), the Dayton Art Institute (OH), and the Columbus Museum of Art (OH), which holds the largest collection of works by Elijah Pierce. This is art from a magnificent group of 7 self-taught artists that is full of personal expression and intuition. These artists seem to have no problems whatsoever moving from one means of expression or medium to another. The exhibition includes works that extend from traditional painting on canvas to painting on just about any available surface the artists could find or put their hands on. The work reflects precisely chiseled stone sculptures depicting mythical figures, to low-relief embroidery with fine silk thread painstakingly sewn onto cloth, to works using discarded chewing gum and wrappers. It is intriguing to imagine, if you will, the time and circum-stances during which these individuals lived and later flourished as artists – some in the same neighborhood just blocks from one another. This is extraordinary art produced by extraordinary people, living next door to us. William Hawkins grew up on a farm in rural eastern Kentucky. Educated in a one-room schoolhouse through the third grade, Hawkins worked as a laborer and truck driver settling in Columbus,

Ohio. Known fondly as “Grandpa” to those who frequented his near eastside neighborhood, Hawkins is heralded by critics for his bold, graphic and imaginative paintings. Elijah Pierce was the son of a former slave, born on a cotton plantation in Baldwyn, Mississippi. Although an uncle taught him to whittle, Pierce chose to cut hair as his trade. He earned his license as an itinerant Baptist preacher in 1920, and soon after joined the Great Migration north. Considered an American master carver and one of it’s most important folk artists, Pierce created his most elaborate work, The Book of Wood, depicting New Testament scenes, which he used as illustrated sermons. Mary Merrill’s art making spanned three decades, with the most prolific period occurring during a ten-year bout with a goraphobia. To keep her company, Merrill made dolls from fabric scraps. And, using paint, chewing gum, jewelry, etc., she turned rocks and coal nuggets into heads – even adding make-up. Mary Borkowski’s oeuvre consists of more than 200 quilts, 113 thread paintings, 73 acrylic paintings – all done in one year (1978) – just to get her stories out, and 5 mixed media collages. She once stated, “The world is on fire, and I have something to say about it.” Some of the pioneer collectors of self-taught art, including Herbert Hemphill, Jr. and Robert Bishop, visited Borkowski’s home in Dayton and bought her often-surreal stories in thread. Unlike the other artists in this exhibition, Ernest “Popeye” Reed and David Pond shunned the city in favor of secluded country living. A young Reed found work in sawmills, and later as a cabinetmaker. He resided in a log cabin in southern Ohio until he replaced it with a hand-made house trailer. Popeye marveled at the realism achieved in ancient Greek sculpture, believing they must have turned humans into stone using liquefied marble. David Pond also called a trailer home, settling near Somerset in southeastern Ohio. Pond worked as a carnival roadie, and later ran an antique store before turning his attention to making art. He often distributed business cards listing his trade as “salvage analyst.” Known for his keen sense of humor, Pond was an avid reader and a lover of poetry. The seven individuals in this exhibition chose to make art without the so-called advantages of academic training. These artists realized their own means of expression, some blazing new trails in the process. Culprits, Innocents and Outsiders: Heartland Visions presents art that is idiosyncratic and original—art that spans 60-some years—that lives on inspiring others. – KEVIN COLE, CURATOR

Culprits, innoCents & outsidersHeartland Visionsbrings together the highly original work of 7 self-taught artists

He believed he had lived 33,906 lives; that Ethiopia was his place of birth, that he was of royal ancestry, and that he possessed psychic powers. A resident of Cleveland, he claimed to have traveled Europe and the U.S. widely, to have visited Haiti on numerous occasions, and to have engaged in astral travel. Photos of Morris Ben Newman (1883-1980) that survive often show him dressed formally with suit and tie, wearing a fez cap. Newman was a large stately man of imposing proportions, whose extraordinary and exaggerated claims defined his persona. The array of materials he used to make art, the paintings that found their way into private collections, and the memory jugs, handcrafted pipes and other art that Newman created reflect an incredible imagination and artistic vision that form his legacy. Though little has been written about Newman, he was assuredly a complex individual who arguably is among the most enigmatic and curious figures of any self-taught American artist.

Culprits, innoCents & outsidersHeartland Visionsbrings together the highly original work of 7 self-taught artists

(left) Ernest “Popeye” Reed, Untitled, (Venus). Carved sandstone, 20 x 4¾ x 5 in. Collection of Daniel S. Berger, MD. Photo by John Faier(right) David Pond, African Princess, 1990. Carved and painted wood. Private Collection. Photo by John Faier

Culprits, Innocents, and Outsiders: Heartland Visions

Mary BorkowskiThe Art Thief, 1977Acrylic on Canvas Board9½” x 17½”Dayton Art Institute, Gift of De De Isaacson, 2000.69 Mary BorkowskiThe Book of Life, 1994Silk Thread Painting36“ x 38“ ( framed)Private Collection Mary BorkowskiThe Crash, 1968Silk Thread Painting19“ x 42“Collection of Pat Glascock and Michael Hall Mary BorkowskiDistortion, 1978Acrylic on Canvas Board19¼” x 24¾”The Arient Family Collection Mary BorkowskiDistortion, c. 1968Silk Thread Painting18¼” x 20¼”Dayton Art Institute, Museum Purchase 1968.57 Mary BorkowskiIndecision, c. 1968Silk Thread Painting32“ x 24½”Dayton Art Institute, Museum Purchase, 1968.58 Mary BorkowskiIn the beginning, c. 1980Silk Thread Painting29” x 29”The Arient Family Collection

Mary BorkowskiIT ONLY TOOK A SECOND, 1968Silk Thread Painting24” x 20”Collection of Kenneth and Donna Fadeley Mary BorkowskiNeighbor and the Nude, c. 1968Silk Thread Painting22½” x18 ½”Dayton Art Institute, Museum Purchase, 1968.56 Mary BorkowskiThe Despicable Allergy, 1993Silk Thread Painting33“ x 37“Collection of Denny Griffith and Beth Fisher Mary BorkowskiUninvited, A Child’s Thanksgiving Memory, c. 1970sAcrylic and Collage on Canvas25“ x 31“Private Collection William HawkinsIndian Hunting Buffalo, 1988Paint on Canvas48“ x 56½“Collection of Daniel S. Berger, MD William HawkinsLast Supper #6, 1986Enamel on Masonite with Collage24“ x 48“Collection of Robert A. Roth

William HawkinsOhio State PenitentiaryEnamel on Masonite54” x 48“Collection of Lael and Eugenie Johnson William HawkinsRed Dog Running, #3, 1986Enamel on Masonite48“ x 60“Collection of Columbus Museum of Art,Gift of Anonymous Donor; 1986.024 William HawkinsThree Hanging Men, 1985Enamel on Masonite32“ x 48“Collection of Robert A. Roth William HawkinsWrigley FieldEnamel on Board13½“ x 18“Collection of Jan Petry Mary Frances MerrillAfrican WeddingMixed Media on Board20“ x 13¼“Collection of Columbus Art Museum of Art,Gift of Tim and Karen Keny, 2004.014 Mary Frances MerrillThe Bible Salesman, c. 1980sPaint on Linoleum19 x 16”Collection of Russell A. Howard Mary Frances MerrilllBlack Santa with Children, c. 1975-85Mixed Media Collage15½“ x 18½“Private Collection

Mary Frances MerrillDixie, c. 1975-85Paint on Linoleum37“ x 31½“Private Collection Mary Frances MerrillUntitled (Dog Head), ca 1980sPainted Rock with Mixed Media7½” x 5½” x 6”Collection of Ted and Gail Struve Mary Frances MerrillFats DominoEnamel on Brick8“ x 3½“ x 2½“Collection of Mike and Cindy Noland Mary Frances MerrillGirl in Green Dress with Doll, c. 1975-85Paint on Linoleum17“ x 11½“Private Collection Mary Frances MerrillUntitled (Lady’s Head), c. 1980sPainted Rock and Mixed Media6” x 5“ x 5”Collection of Ted and Gail Struve Mary Frances MerrillMother and Child, c. 1975-85Paint on Indoor/outdoor Carpeting18½“ x 22½“Private Collection Mary Frances MerrillUntitled (African Head)Paint on Rock, Chewing Gum, and Costume Jewelry6“ x 5“ x 5”

Collection of Mike and Cindy Noland

Mary Frances MerrillUntitled (Christ’s Head)Paint on Rock, Chewing Gum, and Costume Jewelry7“ x 5½“ x 4”Collection of Mike and Cindy Noland Mary Frances MerrillUntitled (Doll #1), c. 1978-80Mixed Media12” x 4“ x 4”Collection of Art and Barbara Vogel Mary Frances MerrillUntitled (Doll #2), c 1978-80Mixed Media12“ x 4“ x 4”Collection of Art and Barbara Vogel Mary Frances MerrillUntitled (Gray Head)Paint on Rock, Chewing Gum, and Costume Jewelry5“ x 4“ x 3”Collection of Mike and Cindy Noland Mary Frances MerrillUntitled (Large Woman’s Head)Paint on Rock, Chewing Gum, and Costume Jewelry8“ x 6“ x 7”Collection of Mike and Cindy Noland Mary Frances MerrillUntitled (Woman with Orange Scarf)Fingernail Polish on Rock, Costume Jewelry5“ x 6½“ x 4”Collection of Mike and Cindy Noland

Culprits, innoCents & outsidersHeartland Visionsbrings together the highly original work of 7 self-taught artists

William Hawkins, Red Dog Running, #3, 1986. Enamel on Masonite, 48“ x 60“. Collection of Columbus Museum of Art, Gift of Anonymous Donor; 1986.024

Elijah Pierce, The Kiss, c. 1977-79. Carved and painted wood relief, glitter, 19 x 15 in. Collection of Daniel S. Berger, MD. Photo by John Faier

Mary Frances MerrillValley DalePaint and Collage on Linoleum15“ x 18“Collection of Art and Barbara Vogel Morris Ben NewmanUntitled (Landscape, from New Flower Series)Oil on Canvas28“ x 53“Collection of Mike and Cindy Noland Morris Ben NewmanUntitled (Temple on the Rocks), c. 1978Paint on Canvas29½” “ x 33“Courtesy Lindsay Gallery, Columbus, OH Morris Ben NewmanUntitled, (From New Flowers Series)Paint on Canvas29“ x 30“Courtesy Lindsay Gallery, Columbus, OH Morris Ben NewmanUntitled (Mobite Temple from New Flower Series)Paint on Wood27¼“ x 32½“Collection of Mike and Cindy Noland Morris Ben NewmanUntitled (2 Pipes), c. 1970Paint on Plastic, Wood, Mixed Media26“ x 2“ x 5”Courtesy Lindsay Gallery, Columbus, OH

Morris Ben NewmanUntitled from new Flowers SeriesPaint on Canvas Window-shade29“ x 30“Collection of Judith and Patrick Blackburn Elijah PierceBad Bad Leroy Brown, 1979Painted Wood Relief22“ x 26“The Arient Family Collection Elijah PierceBefore Death All Are Equal, 1946-47Painted Wood Relief13½“ x 14“Collection of Columbus Art Museum of Art,Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Boris Gruenwald, 1974.021 Elijah PierceBorn Again, 1967Wood Relief20½“ x 23½“ x 2”Collection of Daniel S. Berger, MD Elijah PierceJesus Calming the StormPainted & Carved Wood Relief21½“ x 12½“Collection of Mike and Cindy Noland Elijah PierceThe Kiss, c. 1977-79. Carved and painted wood relief, glitter, 19 x 15 in. Collection of Daniel S. Berger, MD

Elijah PierceThe Mule that Wouldn’t Move, 1978Wood Relief16“ x 25“Collection of Daniel S. Berger, MD Elijah PiercePearl Harbor and the African Queen, ca. 1941Carved, Assembled and Painted Wood with Glitter23¼” x 27” x 1½”Milwaukee Art Museum, The Michael and Julie Hall Collection of American Folk Art, M1989.253 Elijah PierceThe Story of Job, ca. 1936Carved and Painted Wood16” x 29” x 2”Milwaukee Art Museum, The Michael and Julie Hall Collection of American Folk Art, M1989.254 David PondAfrican Princess, 1990Carved and Painted Wood14½“ x 2½“ x 1½“Private Collection David PondThe AuctionOil on Board50“ x 31½“Collection of Sharon Weiss and Roger Pettry David PondGandhi, 1986Carved and Painted Wood49“ x 10“ x 9”Collection of Paul Emory

David PondIn the Park, 1989Oil on Canvas40½” x 28¾”Collection of Paul Emory David PondThe Mighty Kingdom (Escape from Eden), 1988Oil on Canvas Board16” x 22½”Collection of Paul Emory David PondWoman with Pipe, 1989Oil on Canvas Board8½” x 6½”Collection of Paul Emory David PondThe Last Pitch, 1997Carved and Painted Wood36“ x 8“ x 5½“Private Collection E. “Popeye” ReedFemale SphinxCarved Sandstone8“ x 3½“ x 3½“Collection of Jan Petry E. “Popeye” ReedIndian Chief (Head)Carved Sandstone16“ x 10“ x 5”Collection of Mike and Cindy Noland E. “Popeye” ReedIndian Child, c. 1979Carved Wood29“ x 9“ x 5”Courtesy Lindsay Gallery, Columbus, OH

E. “Popeye” ReedJonah and the WhaleCarved Wood Sculpture22“ x 7½“ x 4½“Collection of Mike and Cindy Noland

E. “Popeye” ReedLarge MermaidCarved Sandstone18“ x 10“ x 4”Collection of Mike and Cindy Noland E. “Popeye” ReedMother and ChildCarved Sandstone9“ x 8“ x 5”Collection of Mike and Cindy Noland E. “Popeye” ReedUntitled (Duck)Stone on Bone5“ x 5“ x 12”Collection of Judith and Patrick Blackburn E. “Popeye” ReedUntitled (Seated Indian)Carved Sandstone14“ x 6“ x 6”Collection of Judith and Patrick Blackburn E. “Popeye” ReedVenusCarved Limestone20“ x 4¾“ x 5”Collection of Daniel S. Berger, MD

(Morris Ben Newman, Untitled, Mobite Temple from New Flowers series, c. 1977-79. Paint on wood panel. Collection of Mike and Cindy Noland. Photo by John Faier

Mary Frances Merrill, Dixie, c. 1975-85. Paint on Linoleum,37“ x 31½“. Private Collection. Photo by John Faier

Intuit: The Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art

756 N. Milwaukee AvenueChicago, IL 60642312-243-9088 Fax 312-243-9089

Gallery hours:Tuesday-Saturday, 11am-5pmThursday, 11am-7:30pm

www.art.org

IntuIt Is supported In part by grants from: the Alphawood Foundation, Arts Work Fund at the Chicago Community Trust, Chicago Community Trust, Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs for City Arts, Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation, MacArthur Fund for the Arts and Culture at the Richard Driehaus Foundation, Lloyd A. Fry Foundation, John R. Houlsby Foundation, Illinois Arts Council, Irving Harris Foundation, Polk Bros. Foundation, and the Terra Foundation of American Art.

(above) Elijah Pierce, Before Death All Are Equal, 1946-47. Painted Wood Relief, 13½“ x 14“. Collection of Columbus Art Museum of Art, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Boris Gruenwald, 1974.021(front cover) William Hawkins, Detail, Indian Hunting Buffalo, 1988. Paint on Canvas 48“ x 56½“. Collection of Daniel S. Berger, MD