Walks to the Paradise Garden: A Lowdown Southern Odyssey

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Author: Jones, Phillip MarchWalks to the Paradise Garden is the last unpublished manuscript of the late American poet, photographer, publisher and bon viveur Jonathan Williams (192 9-2008). This book chronicles Williams's road trips across the Southern United States with photographers Guy Mendes and Roger Manley in search of the most authentic and outlandish artists the South had to offer. The majority of these road trips took place in the 1980s, a pivotal decade in the development of Southern "yard shows" and many of the artists are now featured in major institutions. This book, however, chronicles them at the outset of their careers and provides essential context for their inclusion in the art historical canon. Taking its name from the famous artwork by Howard Finster, Walks to the Paradise Garden brings to light rare images and stories of Southern artists and creators who existed in near anonymity during the last half of the 20th century. Organised in chapters devoted to each artist, the book features Sam Doyle, Howard Finster, Lonnie Holley, Sister Gertrude Morgan and Edgar Tolson, among many others.ISBN 9781732848207. Institute 193. hb. 352 pages. 23.5 x 16.5 cm.available Show more