Lonnie Holley was born in 1950 and attended school
through seventh grade. He has become especially known for
his dramatic sandstone carvings. When Holley's sister lost
two children in a house fire in 1979, he became so depressed
that he tried suicide. When his attempt failed, he decided
to try to do something constructive with his grief. He made
tombstones for the children because the family could not
afford to buy any. The two tombstones for his nieces were
Lonnie's first venture into art. Eventually the Birmingham
Museum of Art discovered Holley's backyard environment.
Lonnie has created a unique and unusual environment composed
of sandstone carvings and sculptured assemblages made of
steel, wire, and board. His sandstone carvings show embryo
like figures or mask like faces embossed into the stone; his
assemblages and paintings tell stories to illustrate the
philosophy the artist has developed concerning racial and
social issues. Lonnie's work has been displayed at the
Smithsonian Institute and at the White House.
SOLD Jesus on the Cross 16 x 20 framed acrylic on paper $700 Madonna and Child 21 x 48 acrylic on paneling $1,800 The Family wire sculpture 8 x 14 $350 Wire Profile #1 12 x 15 $350 Crawling Man 12" wire sculpture $350 Wire Profile #2 12 x15 $350 Wire Profile #3 12 x 14 $350 The Crucifixion 17 x 60 framed paint on board $2,200 SOLD Man and a Fish 17 x 14 unframed paint on paper $225
