Bessie Harvey was born in 1929 in Dallas Georgia and died in 1994 in Alcoa, Tennessee. She was a folk sculptor who created powerful, sometimes grotesque figures from tree branches and roots. She once said that her clay pieces and masks portrayed souls. Her paintings depicted faces of the tormented to African kings and queens. Bessie had a vision, a gift. She could close her eyes and see things others couldn't. Bessie achieved star status with collectors for her powerful and mysterious works. Some scholars in the field of black studies believe that her style had African and/or voodoo origins. Bessie was the first self taught artist to be included in the Biennial of the Whitney Museum in New York since Edgar Tolson was selected for the show in 1973. And her work has been included in just about every African American show since 1990. Since her death collectors are in search of her work.

click to enlarge	Snake Head with Faces 5" $350 click for availability and ordering
click to enlarge	Mask 16 x 9 x 8 paint, seeds, wooden rings on natural growth wood $1,200 click for availability and ordering

PO Box 3075 · Hilton Head Island. · SC · 29928 · 843-757-0088

Questions / Exhibits / African American Art / African American Fine Art Visionary Art / Southern Fine Art / Tips / Gallery Locations / We Buy Art Newsletter / Links / Contact Us / Comments / email / Home Page

AMERICA OH YES! © 1999 All Rights Reserved