Name/Title
Chicken SnakeEntry/Object ID
2023.2.6Description
Chicken Snake by Mose Tolliver features a snake rendered in browns, reds, yellows, and black on a white background, surrounded by more neutral swipes of paint. The strong vertical orientation of the work makes the snake appear to be standing upright, balanced on its tail. The tail curves and thickens from bottom to top and directs the viewer’s eye about the picture plane. At the top of the composition, the snake’s mouth is open and a red tongue pokes out from in between rows of teeth. In addition, the semi-regular dotted pattern on the body of the snake mimics the texture of scales. Overall, the dashed and dramatically-curving lines in Chicken Snake contribute tremendous energy to this dynamic image of a coiled snake posed to strike.Acquisition
Accession
2023.2Source or Donor
Lou and Calynne HillAcquisition Method
GiftMade/Created
Artist Information
Artist
Tolliver, MoseRole
ArtistDate made
n.d.Interpretative Labels
Label
Mose Tolliver (1920-2006) was born in Alabama between 1920 and 1925, and created artwork his entire life. However, after a work-related accident in the late 1960s gravely injured his legs, he turned to painting to combat boredom and gave artmaking his full commitment. Tolliver began to create images with house paint on pieces of plywood, Masonite, or old furniture. His painted subjects included sexually explicit images of women, self-portraits, buses, birds, snakes, and fruit. He would attach these images to the tab of a soda or beer can as a hanging device. Tolliver's painting style is referred to as flat, full frontal, or straight profile with a muted palette. As the years progressed, Tolliver became less dexterous and began to train his children to carry out his works.Created By
ashley.williams@gadsdenarts.orgCreate Date
March 21, 2024