African American Folk Art Hand-Carved Wooden Hand-Painted Tiger Sculpture by Isaac Smith, 1980

Details

Description

Hand-carved and signed wooden tiger sculpture by celebrated African-American folk artist Isaac Smith (1944–2016). The sculpture circa 1980.

This large … Read more Hand-carved and signed wooden tiger sculpture by celebrated African-American folk artist Isaac Smith (1944–2016). The sculpture circa 1980.

This large whimsical tiger sculpture is carved from wood and hand-painted in bold orange, black, and cream tones. Depicted on the prowl, its elongated body stretches forward with wide yellow eyes, alert ears, and wiry whiskers that give the animal an animated presence. The natural contours of the wood enhance the sense of movement and individuality characteristic of Smith's work.
Viewed from every angle, the sculpture reveals the artist's attention to detail, humor, and expressive style. The statue is signed "Isaac Smith" on the tiger's back leg. Impressive in scale and visually impressive, this tiger makes a compelling standalone sculptural work. Condition is very good, with minor wear consistent with age and display. Included are images of the cover and a page from the "Big Cats" chapter of Ronald J. Gard's Isaac's Ark: The Art and Times of Isaac Smith, the book will be included.
This wonderful large Folk Art sculpture is ready to grace your space.

Artist Biography: 

Isaac Smith grew up in Louisiana and spent most of his adult life in Dallas Texas and became a master carver. He was renowned for transforming found wood into expressive animal sculptures that bridged folk and fine art. Raised among the wildlife of Louisiana, he developed a lifelong fascination with animals, particularly big cats, which became recurring subjects in his work. In Ronald J. Gard's Isaac's Ark, the chapter "Big Cats" highlights Smith's admiration for these powerful animals, which he imbued with distinct personalities and spiritual presence. Smith is widely recognized as one of America's most important African-American visionary folk artists.
Smith's work is featured heavily in The African American Museum in Dallas, which holds the Billy R. Allen Folk Arts Collection, composed entirely of Smith's carvings and represents the largest museum collection of a single African American artist globally.
Major Exhibitions: His carvings have been exhibited at the Dallas Museum of Art, the Museum of American Folk Art in New York, and the University of Texas at Austin.
Prominent Collectors: Reflecting his widespread appeal, six of Smith's distinct wooden sculptures were acquired for the "Western White House" in Crawford, Texas. See less