The broad smile on this sun-weathered face reveals a humor born of life experience and philosophy. Lines of conern partner with those of his smile to create a portrait of an American Indian you wish you could meet and get to know.
A solid block of wood was used to carve this singular American Indian head/ bust. Paint pigments and stainswere carefully applied to add depth and life to the carved features.
A machine-sewn pate of synthetic theatrical hair has been loosely applied with spots of light adhesive. The hair has been gathered into deerskin lacing to either side of the face at ear level.
Description | The broad smile on this sun-weathered face reveals a humor born of life experience and philosophy. Lines of conern partner with those of his smile to create a portrait of an American Indian you wish you could meet and get to know. A solid block of wood was used to carve this singular American Indian head/ bust. Paint pigments and stainswere carefully applied to add depth and life to the carved features. A machine-sewn pate of synthetic theatrical hair has been loosely applied with spots of light adhesive. The hair has been gathered into deerskin lacing to either side of the face at ear level. |
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About the Artist | Born in 1930 in Decatur, Illinois, Wakefield moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico in 1954 and to Phoenix, Arizona in 1964. He became known for his humorous wood carvings of primarily cowboys and American Indians. At one time his wood carvings were shown at Kennedy Art Galleries in New York and at Overland Trail Gallery in Scottsdale, Arizona. Wakefield was a member of the Arizona Woodcarvers Association and the National Woodcarvers Association. His carvings won Best of Show in a competition staged by the Arizona Woodcarvers as well as a top carver award in Southern California. A publication titled "Top Hand" illustrated the latest of 30 different bronzes by Wakefield, most cast from his original wood carvings. This distinctive artist died in 2003. |
Culture | USA |
Style | Nostalgic American Indian |
Medium | Polychrome wood, theatrical hair, deerskin lacing |
Size | 9 3/4" height X 6" width at base and 5 3/4" maximum depth |
Signed | "Wakefield" right front chest |
Date of creation | 1955-1965 |
Condition | Excellent |
Provenance | HR |