Bill Traylor's journey from slavery to folk artist is a remarkable story of resilience and creativity. Born around 1853 in rural Alabama, Traylor spent nearly five decades working as a sharecropper after the Civil War. In his later years, without work and facing homelessness in Montgomery, Alabama, he found a new purpose: art.
Using discarded materials like cardboard and paper, Traylor began to paint. His artwork provides a unique glimpse into the lives of African Americans during the Jim Crow era. His simple yet powerful images capture the struggles, joys, and everyday realities of a community facing discrimination and hardship.
The Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington, D.C., is currently hosting an exhibition titled "Between Worlds." This exhibition explores Traylor's life and art, highlighting the historical context and the artistic significance of his work. Visitors can see a collection of Traylor's paintings and drawings, gaining a deeper understanding of his perspective and the world he lived in. Traylor's art serves as a vital historical document and a testament to the power of human expression in the face of adversity.
Bill Traylor's Folk Art Tells Story of Jim Crow Era
Bill Traylor, born into slavery in Alabama, became an artist in his 80s after a life of sharecropping. Homeless in Montgomery, he used scraps of paper to create powerful folk art. His work depicts the experiences of African Americans during the Jim Crow era. A new exhibition, "Between Worlds," at the Smithsonian American Art Museum showcases Traylor's life and art.
Source: Read the original article at CBS