BIRDS BURL BRANCHES & BARK
BIRDS BURL BRANCHES & BARK presents the divergent and overlapping interests and aesthetics of Steven S. Powers and Joshua Lowenfels around the loose premise of flora and flying fauna. Powers and Lowenfels will present these and other works at Metro Curates, January 22-25, 2015, 125 West 18th ST, New York, NY 10011.
BIRDS BURL BRANCHES & BARK presents the divergent and overlapping interests and aesthetics of Steven S. Powers and Joshua Lowenfels around the loose premise of flora and flying fauna.
Powers and Lowenfels will present these and other works at Metro Curates, January 22-25, 2015, 125 West 18th ST, New York, NY 10011.
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STEVEN S. POWERS & JOSHUA LOWENFELS<br />
<strong>BIRDS</strong> <strong>BURL</strong> <strong>BRANCHES</strong> & <strong>BARK</strong><br />
a collection of paintings, folk art and sculpture from the 19th-21st centuries
STEVEN S. POWERS & JOSHUA LOWENFELS<br />
<strong>BIRDS</strong> <strong>BURL</strong> <strong>BRANCHES</strong> & <strong>BARK</strong><br />
a collection of paintings, folk art and sculpture from the 19th-21st centuries<br />
<strong>BIRDS</strong> <strong>BURL</strong> <strong>BRANCHES</strong> & <strong>BARK</strong> presents the divergent and overlapping interests and aesthetics<br />
of Steven S. Powers and Joshua Lowenfels around the loose premise of flora and flying fauna.<br />
Powers’ aesthetic flirts with the traditional, however walks the line of the unexpected and unorthodox,<br />
while Lowenfels is well established in the unpredictable, incidental and surprisingly sublime.<br />
Though each presents their own interpretation of the theme—incidental Venn diagram-like overlaps<br />
occur. For example, Powers offers a carved granite mother bird with covey by African-American artist<br />
James W. Washington, Jr. and Lowenfels counters with nineteenth-century salt and pepper molds in<br />
the form of a pair of bird’s eggs with human babies hatching from within. Another is Lowenfels’<br />
unanticipated lid from a tar bucket, with its ground colored a most beautiful vermillion with random<br />
dabs of tar upon it—it is a mandala. Powers pairs this with a naive painting by George E. Morgan<br />
entitled, Bird of Paradise—its tail feathers echoing the color and metaphysical suggestion of the tar<br />
lid.<br />
Powers and Lowenfels will present these and other works at Metro Curates, January 22-25, 2015,<br />
125 West 18th ST, New York, NY 10011.<br />
For more information: Steven S. Powers Joshua Lowenfels<br />
stevenspowers.com<br />
joshualowenfels.com<br />
steve@stevenspowers.com joshlowenfels@aol.com<br />
718-625-1715 / 917-518-0809 212-362-2032 / 914-715-1061
New England Bat House<br />
Circa: 1880<br />
Size: 16 5/8" (h) x 12 1/2" (w) x 4 3/8" (d)<br />
courtesy of Steven S. Powers
Emile Branchard (New York, 1881-1938)<br />
Untitled Trees (Connecticut)<br />
Oil on artist board<br />
Circa: 1925<br />
Size: 11 1/2" (w) x 15" (h)<br />
courtesy of Steven S. Powers
Steven Powers (1968-)<br />
Maine: Stonington Woods<br />
Oil on panel<br />
Dated: 2014<br />
Size: 8 3/4" (w) x 11 3/4" (h)<br />
courtesy of Steven S. Powers
The Cycle of Life<br />
Small bicycle of tubular steel, rubber wheels,<br />
frozen within the growth of a tree’s trunk.<br />
Midwestern United States<br />
Circa: 2nd half of the 20thC<br />
Size: 45" (h) x 48" (w)<br />
A specimen now desiccated in display<br />
'twas in life that the two had met in some way<br />
A child’s bicycle held to a fair degree<br />
'twas in life having been absorbed by a tree<br />
courtesy of Joshua Lowenfels
James W. Washington, Jr. (American 1909-2000)<br />
Bird Family<br />
Dated: 1973<br />
Size: 12 1/4" (l) x 8 1/8" (d) x 7 1/2" (h)<br />
courtesy of Steven S. Powers
Egg Cups<br />
Molded Plaster of Paris<br />
Connecticut<br />
Circa: Late 19thC<br />
Size: 5 1/2" (h) x 2" (d)<br />
courtesy of Joshua Lowenfels
Steven Powers (1968-)<br />
First Blossoms<br />
Oil on panel<br />
Dated: 2014<br />
Size: 8 3/4" (h) x 11 3/4" (w)<br />
courtesy of Steven S. Powers<br />
John Bisbee (1965-)<br />
Thicket (detail)<br />
Forged and welded spikes, archival lacquer<br />
Circa: 2014<br />
Size: 32" (h) x 28" (w) x 14 (d)<br />
courtesy of Steven S. Powers
Lumber Baron<br />
A flat panel of prepared oak painted<br />
with a portrait in oil, surrounded by<br />
deep carving that mimics the bark<br />
of a tree.<br />
Circa: 1890<br />
Size: 27-1/4" (h) x 15-1/2" (w)<br />
courtesy of Joshua Lowenfels
James W. Washington, Jr.<br />
(American 1909-2000)<br />
HUNGRY GULL<br />
Dated: 1977<br />
Size: 7 3/8" (w) x 5 5/8" (h)<br />
courtesy of Steven S. Powers<br />
Bark Niche Tableau<br />
Assemblage—cedar chips on shelved box<br />
construction, taxidermy with<br />
metal leash, held by costume hand.<br />
Circa: 20thC<br />
Size: 23" (h) x 18" (w) x 12" (d)<br />
courtesy of Joshua Lowenfels
(far left) Stephen Brown (1950-2009)<br />
Tree II (Weeping Cherry)<br />
Oil on paper mounted on panel<br />
Circa: 2008-2009<br />
Size: 14 7/8" (h) x 6 1/2" (w)<br />
courtesy of Steven S. Powers<br />
(left) Important African American Folk Art<br />
Carved Cane<br />
Carved wood, glass eyes, metal turtle fetish<br />
Dated: 1881<br />
Size: 36" (h)<br />
courtesy of Steven S. Powers<br />
(right) Stephen Brown (1950-2009)<br />
Tree I (Weeping Cherry)<br />
Oil on paper mounted on panel<br />
Circa: 2008-2009<br />
Size: 11 1/2" (h) x 5 1/2" (w)<br />
courtesy of Steven S. Powers
Sponge Bobbin<br />
A rubber and glass scuba mask overgrown<br />
in sea sponge, oddly taking on the<br />
image of the mask’s wearer.<br />
Key West, Florida<br />
Circa: 1st half 20thC<br />
13-1/2" (h) 8" x (w) x 6" (d)<br />
courtesy of Joshua Lowenfels<br />
Food for Thought<br />
A pouch of sewn rawhide pillowed with<br />
petrified cheese<br />
New York State<br />
Circa: late 18thC / early 19thC<br />
Size: 15 1/2" (h) x 10" (w) x 8" (d)<br />
courtesy of Joshua Lowenfels
Eskimo Vest<br />
Colored thread, glass bead embroidery, wool backed cotton, seal skin.<br />
The face in the center goes by the name of Billiken, "God of things as they<br />
ought to be.”<br />
Seattle, Washington<br />
Circa: 1909<br />
Size: 22" (h) x 16" (w) x 9" (d)<br />
courtesy of Joshua Lowenfels
Alfred Eisenstaedt (1898-1995)<br />
Giant Oak Tree<br />
Silver Gelatin Print<br />
Martha's Vineyard, North Tisbury, MA<br />
Circa: 1968<br />
Size: 7" (w) x 9" (h)<br />
courtesy of Steven S. Powers
Steven Powers (1968-)<br />
Untitled Tree: Oak<br />
Oil on panel<br />
Dated: 2014<br />
Size: 8 3/4" (h) x 11 3/4" (w)<br />
courtesy of Steven S. Powers
Steven Powers (1968-)<br />
Maine: Acadian Oaks<br />
Oil on panel<br />
Dated: 2014<br />
Size: 11 3/4" (h) x 15 3/4" (w)<br />
courtesy of Steven S. Powers
Folk Art Phallic Cane<br />
Varnished wood and bark outer with areas of<br />
subtle carving<br />
Eastern United States<br />
Circa: 1890 -1910<br />
Size: 35" H x 5 - 1/4" W<br />
Provenance: Herbert Hemphill collection<br />
Literature: Folk Erotica, Milton Simpson<br />
courtesy of Joshua Lowenfels<br />
Knockers<br />
Brass<br />
Circa: 1900<br />
Size: 5" (d) x 4" (h)<br />
courtesy of Joshua Lowenfels
Paperweight Beauties<br />
Manipulated clear and<br />
colored glass<br />
Massachusetts<br />
Circa: 1933<br />
Size: 3-1/2" (h) x 2-3/4" (d)<br />
courtesy of Joshua Lowenfels<br />
Widow’s Comforter<br />
Wood, pigment<br />
Kent County, Maryland<br />
Circa: 1800<br />
Size: 7 1/2" (l) x 2 1/2" (w)<br />
courtesy of Steven S. Powers
Anonymous<br />
Ribbon Clouds<br />
Oil on artist board<br />
Circa: 1890<br />
Size: 6" (h) x 8" (w)<br />
courtesy of Steven S. Powers<br />
James W. Washington, Jr. (American 1909-2000)<br />
Hawaiian Ai-Laiki = Ricebird<br />
Dated: 1974<br />
Size: 7 1/2" (l) x 4 1/2" (d) x 7" (h)<br />
courtesy of Steven S. Powers
Stephen Brown (1950-2009)<br />
Ball of Twine<br />
Oil on paper mounted on panel<br />
Circa: 2006<br />
Size: 4 3/4" (w) x 5 1/8" (h)<br />
courtesy of Steven S. Powers
John Bisbee (1965-)<br />
Bristle Ball (small)<br />
Welded nails<br />
Circa: 1999-2000<br />
Size: 6" (diameter)<br />
courtesy of Steven S. Powers
W. Conway<br />
Meathead<br />
Oil on canvas<br />
Circa: 1890<br />
Size: 20" (w) x 14" (h)<br />
courtesy of Steven S. Powers
Fraternal Mask of the Lamb<br />
Molded paper composition covered in mohair yarn.<br />
New York State<br />
Circa: 1880 – 1900<br />
Size: 7-1/2" (h) x 10-1/4" (w) x 11-1/2" (d)<br />
courtesy of Joshua Lowenfels
Steven Powers (1968-)<br />
Untitled Tree: Sycamore<br />
Oil on panel<br />
Dated: 2014<br />
Size: 8 3/4" (h) x 11 3/4” (w)<br />
courtesy of Steven S. Powers<br />
Painter’s Pail<br />
A yellow woodenware bucket, encrusted<br />
with red paint<br />
New York State<br />
Circa: 19th century<br />
Size: 14" (h) x 12-1/2" (w) x 13-1/2" (d)<br />
courtesy of Joshua Lowenfels
Camp Happy Hour<br />
Hand-colored vintage silver print<br />
New York State<br />
Circa: 1920<br />
Size: 17" (h) x 23" (w) x 1-1/4" (d)<br />
courtesy of Joshua Lowenfels<br />
Bird House<br />
Hollowed-out log<br />
Circa: 1900<br />
Size: 54" (l) x 15" (w) x 24" (h)<br />
courtesy of Joshua Lowenfels
Gretchen Treitz (1952-)<br />
Study for In The Shadows<br />
Watercolor, white gold leaf on paper<br />
Dated: 2014<br />
Size: 8" (h) x 10" (w)<br />
courtesy of Steven S. Powers
Homer Gunn<br />
Bird’s Nest<br />
Copper and bronze<br />
Circa: 1960<br />
Size: 11" (d) x 7 1/2" (h)<br />
courtesy of Joshua Lowenfels<br />
Oaxacan Wolf Mask<br />
Wood<br />
Circa: 1900<br />
Size: 14" (h) x 8 1/2" (w)<br />
courtesy of Steven S. Powers
Grey Glyph Stone<br />
Pewter<br />
Circa: Mid 20thC<br />
Size: 5 3/4" (l) x 3 1/2" (w) x 1" (d)<br />
courtesy of Joshua Lowenfels
Carved Stone Book<br />
Stone<br />
Circa: Late 19thC<br />
Size: 4 1/2" (h) x 3" (w) x 3/4" (d)<br />
courtesy of Joshua Lowenfels
Eastern Great Lakes Beaver Effigy Ladle<br />
Circa: 1780<br />
Size: 9 1/8" (h)<br />
Provenance: Andy Warhol Collection, Sotheby's, New York, 1988.<br />
Pictured and discussed in North American Burl Treen, p. 165<br />
courtesy of Steven S. Powers<br />
A Small Medicine Ladle with Reductive Manitou or Abstract Quahog Shell<br />
Circa: 1780<br />
Size: 4 1/4" (h)<br />
Pictured and discussed in North American Burl Treen, p. 166<br />
courtesy of Steven S. Powers
Exceptional Northeastern Ash Burl Bowl with Beehive Turnings<br />
Circa: 1760-1780<br />
Size: 12" (d) x 6 1/2" (h)<br />
Pictured and discussed in North American Burl Treen, page 42.<br />
Provenance: DeVere Card<br />
courtesy of Steven S. Powers
Water Pipe<br />
Lathe-turned log with male and female<br />
ends, wrapped in iron coil,<br />
covered in pitch<br />
Binghamton, NY<br />
Circa: 1800-1840<br />
Size: 73" (h) x 6" (d)<br />
courtesy of Joshua Lowenfels<br />
(right) Mechanical Mirrored Ball<br />
Mirror set into hollow faceted form of<br />
blackened wood and plaster atop a<br />
clockwork can. Attached to wood base,<br />
curving iron struts support vertical<br />
rotation<br />
Circa: 1900-1940<br />
Size: 29 3/4" (h) x 18" (w) x 15" (d)<br />
courtesy of Joshua Lowenfels
(left) George E. Morgan (Maine, 1870-1969)<br />
Bird of Paradise<br />
Oil on artist board<br />
Circa: 1964<br />
Size: 9" (w) x 12" (h)<br />
courtesy of Steven S. Powers<br />
(above) The Shape of Chance and Happenstance<br />
Weathered transformation of a tarred and<br />
painted steel tar lid<br />
Circa: 1930-50<br />
Size: 18" (diameter)<br />
courtesy of Joshua Lowenfels
Folk Art Carved Policeman Whirligig<br />
with Tin Sleeves<br />
Circa: 1880<br />
Size: 18 1/8" (h) x 10" (w)<br />
Provenance: Joseph Mortinson;<br />
Kennedy Galleries; Raymond Saroff<br />
/ Howard Rose Collection.<br />
Literature & Exhibitions:<br />
Unexpected Eloquence, The Edith<br />
Blum Art Institute, Bard<br />
College, Annandale-on-Hudson,<br />
1990, by Howard Rose published to<br />
coincide with the exhibit, “The Fine<br />
Art of American Folk,” The Edith C.<br />
Blum Institute, Bard College, 1990.<br />
courtesy of Steven S. Powers
Nebraskan Reliquary<br />
Portrait photograph and caged<br />
fragments on soldered metal plaque<br />
with wrought-in text documenting<br />
the burning of a church by a lodge<br />
called the Free-thinkers.<br />
Nebraska<br />
Circa: Late 19thC<br />
Size: 28 1/4" (h) x 9 1/2" (w) x 2 3/8”<br />
Text:<br />
ERNEST GRESSING, THIS IS THE CAR-<br />
PENTER THAT BUILT THE CHURCH IN<br />
THE SOUTH WEST CORNER SECT 31 IN<br />
1889.<br />
THIS BROKEN BRICK AND BURNED<br />
GLASS IS FROM THE S T. MATTHAI<br />
LUTHERAN<br />
CHURCH THAT WAS BUILT IN THE<br />
SOUTH WEST CORNER SECTION 29.<br />
WISNER TOWNSHIP CUMING COUNTY<br />
NEBRASKA IN 1886.<br />
AND BURNED BY "THE FREIDENKERS"<br />
THE NIGHT BEFORE IT WAS TO BE<br />
DEDICATED.<br />
THREE MEN ON HORSEBACK TUTCH<br />
HER OFF AND WENT WEST ALL THE<br />
HORSES CAN BRING.<br />
WAS SEEN BY A LADY ON<br />
THE S.W. Q SECTION 30. WISNER<br />
TOWNSHIP ABOUT 11.P. M.<br />
MEN FROM 1 . OR 1000.<br />
LODGES CALLED THEM SELF<br />
FREIDENKERS. THE CHURCH IN<br />
THE S.W. CORNER SECTION 31.<br />
WAS GARDED FOR 2 . WEEKS WITH A<br />
CROSS BARREL. 1889<br />
courtesy of Joshua Lowenfels
Elmer Youmans (Harrisburg, PA)<br />
Archaeopteryx: The Earliest Known Bird<br />
Oil on board<br />
Circa: 1966<br />
Size: 37" (h) x 27" (w)<br />
courtesy of Joshua Lowenfels
John Bisbee (1965-)<br />
Mane<br />
Welded nails<br />
Dated: December 2013<br />
Size: 15 1/2" (h) x 7" (w) x 4" (d)<br />
courtesy of Steven S. Powers
STEVEN S. POWERS & JOSHUA LOWENFELS<br />
STEVEN S. POWERS<br />
stevenspowers.com<br />
steve@stevenspowers.com<br />
718-625-1715 / 917-518-0809<br />
JOSHUA LOWENFELS<br />
joshualowenfels.com<br />
joshlowenfels@aol.com<br />
212-362-2032 / 914-715-1061<br />
SHOW LOCATION<br />
THE METROPOLITAN PAVILION<br />
125 W 18TH ST. (BTW 6TH/7TH AVES)<br />
NEW YORK, NY 10011<br />
O GALA PREVIEW O<br />
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 21 | 6 PM—9 PM<br />
SHOW DATES AND HOURS<br />
THURSDAY, JANUARY 22 | 11 AM–7 PM<br />
FRIDAY, JANUARY 23 | 11 AM–7 PM<br />
SATURDAY, JANUARY 24 | 11 AM–7 PM<br />
SUNDAY, JANUARY 25 | 12 PM–5:30 PM<br />
<strong>BIRDS</strong> <strong>BURL</strong> <strong>BRANCHES</strong> & <strong>BARK</strong><br />
a collection of paintings, folk art and sculpture from the 19th-21st centuries