Exhibition - Hawkins Bolden

Hawkins Bolden of Memphis, Tennessee, was blinded as a child. Of mixed ethnicity and suffering from the then-misunderstood illness of epilepsy, Bolden was held at arm’s length from society. Bolden discovered a niche for himself within the structure of his large, impoverished family, making sculptural figures he called “scarecrows” to guard the family’s vegetable garden. Using pots, pans, discarded clothing, cast-off garden hoses, and whatever else he could find, Bolden gave his figures multiple eyes—perhaps bestowing them with the vision he himself lacked.

Admission:
Admission to the Arts Center is by voluntary donation.