Eagle from Paddle Wheel Cover of "Island Home" c. 1937

Alfred H. Smith made this "Eagle from Paddle Wheel Cover of 'Island Home'" out of wood sometime between 1855 and 1995. You can tell that Smith really built this object, carving the wood and then painting on top. The textures that come through are pretty awesome. Up close, you can see where the wood grain peeks through the silver-grey paint behind the eagle. It’s almost like a cloud, adding some depth and moodiness to the backdrop, especially compared to the eagle itself with it's golden paintwork. This feels so different from some slick, polished sculpture you might see. This piece reminds me a little of Forrest Bess, who was also working from a very personal place, making art that was deeply connected to his life and experiences. Like Bess, Smith uses a kind of raw, unrefined approach that gives his work so much character. Ultimately, it’s a reminder that art doesn’t always have to be perfect to be powerful.