Jim Linderman blog about surface, wear, form and authenticity in self-taught art, outsider art, antique american folk art, antiques and photography.
Antique Folk Art Animal Carvings with Original Paint
Lisa Z. Sigel The People's Porn: A History of Handmade Pornography in America Book Review
Lisa Sigel is an audacious scholar. Her field of study is old as the species, but still appears to scare the pants off academia. None of us would be here if it weren't for sexual activity and that makes it one of the most important areas for study, yet Sigel's afterword details a harrowing pattern of denied fellowships, grant rejections and any interest at all from cultural institutions. Their eyes are closed.
The author writes that "there are no big grants or prizes for the study of pornography. Foundations, ever since the year of the Mapplethorpe (1990) do not fund general scholarship on pornography or erotica and most institutions will be penalized with cuts in federal funding if they inadvertently discuss erotic objects." Meanwhile, Facebook continues to figure out how to eliminate errant female nipples from postings through artificial intelligence.
It might be a stretch, but in some ways this compares to the reluctance of art institutions to accept the work of folk and outsider artists. Nearly one hundred are illustrated here. They will certainly open some eyes, although most of the wondrous objects shown in The People's Pornography have yet to find any acceptance at all. That is except for those owned by a handful of adventurous collectors and the Kinsey Institute. One characteristic of all the work shown is their scarcity. Think of the amount of material tossed by horrified surviving family members if they came across some of the art shown here.
Sigel takes on all manner of handmade and homemade erotic objects. They may look pornographic but all reflect true human emotions the makers struggled with. Or simply enjoyed. They display humor (hilarious gag objects intended to surprise) or extreme violence, such as the work created in prison by imaginations which might be out of control. Still, all exist and all are worthy of appraisal.
Sigel also takes on what those here will recognize as "term warfare" as we figure out how to categorize and understand art made by the creative impulses of the untrained. Maybe there are outsiders and WAY outsiders. Just flipping through the images here will shock some. Well…many. Others might remember familiar "dirty jokes" traded among classmates. Although this is a scholarly and historical approach, Sigel manages to provide a highly readable narrative. She writes like other recent authors who popularize science (think Mary Roach and Caitlin Doughty). This book isn't just for the pictures.
There have been several other books on erotic folk art. Milt Simpson, who recently celebrated his 95th birthday, published the lovely Folk Erotica: Celebrating Centuries of Erotic Americana in 1994.. Thomas Waugh's book Out / Lines : Underground Graphics from Before Stonewall provides scores of homemade gay pornography in 1982. Lisa Sigel's own article "Flagrant Delights" in Antiques Magazine July/August 2014 is also recommended.
Purchase The People's Porn: A History of Handmade Pornography in America HERE
Lisa Sigel bibliography of books and publications HERE
Wood Carving Folk Art Puppet Head original paint circa 1950
Meet the Press Leatrice Joy Original Press Photograph 1921
Antique American Folk Art Automobile Collection. Made by Hand Vintage Wood Carving Toys c. 1930 Original Paint
Antique Folk Art Paper Cut / Folded Paper Froebel "Kindergarten" Projects circa 1903 - 1904 by Kenneth Miles Litchfield, CT Collection Jim Linderman
Gorillas in Chains! Folk Art Real Photo Postcard
How to Index and Catalog your Video Collection!
Outsider Art Journalism from Home! Douglas Levicki Amateur Homedrawn Newspaper from England
Antique carved folk art stone
Naive Outsider Art of Moses Baker
Tintograph Stencil Children's Art Kit c. 1915
19th Century Folk Art Ledger with Drawings from Students in a One Room School
Giant Tin Sardine Can Submarine Explores Lake Michigan Waters Folk Art Fish Sculpture
Well, a giant homemade fish submarine! "Lake Crossing in Sardine Can" reads the caption. I'm not sure the date. The fish is just over ten feet long. The maker Barney Connett prepares for launch.
Original A.P. Wirephoto circa 1950?
Rasmus Petersen
Rasmus Petersen stands by his rock garden Statue of Liberty with an odd plaque reading "Enjoy yourself, it's later than you think" for some reason.
Folk Art Foot Ephemera
The small art of the mailed foot. Two of these anyway. The smallest is actually a Lady's Calling Card. Late 19th / Early 20th Century. Collection Jim Linderman
Apocalyptic Worship of the Antichrist Photograph of an Unknown Painting
Apocalyptic Worship of the Antichrist Photograph of an Unknown Painting. This is an original photograph circa 1920 (?) of a work I haven't identified. We'll have to rely on the frightening notes from the reverse. Tribulation Worship of the Antichrist, Rider of the white horse also dark horse of the famine, gray horse of Death, the lambs book of life. Is your name written there?
Original photograph, no date collection Jim Linderman