Name/Title
untitledEntry/Object ID
2010.1.11Description
This painting by Mary T. Smith is typically of Smith's style and subject matter. The three-quarter length portrait of a green figure is placed on a white background with gold dots surrounding him. Many of Mary Tillman's paintings are pictures of her friends, neighbors and pets. Using mostly house paint on scrap material, Smith's abstract expressionistic style draws many influences from the large billboards hovering over her property off of State Highway 51 in Hazlehurst, Mississippi.Collection
Southern Vernacular Art CollectionAcquisition
Accession
2010.1Source or Donor
Lou and Calynne HillAcquisition Method
GiftMade/Created
Artist Information
Artist
Smith, Mary TillmanRole
ArtistDate made
n.d.Interpretative Labels
Label
Mary T. Smith (1904-1995)
Born in 1904 in Martinville, Mississippi, Mary Tillman Smith was born with a serious hearing impairment making her speech difficult to understand, and was labeled an outcast in her community. Many of the "slogans" on Smith's paintings that accompany her images were purposely written unintelligibly, and served as "keep out" signs, giving her privacy and security. Many of Smith's paintings include religious themes and iconography that are conveyed with bold patterns, designs, and nonsense words. Using mostly house paint on scrap material, Smith's abstract expressionistic style was influenced by billboards advertising on the highway near her house.Created By
admin@catalogit.appCreate Date
October 1, 2009