Rocky Mount Arts Center presents: Clyde Jones - Critters

By Diane Swan
Posted Thursday, April 19, 2007

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Rocky Mount, NC - The Rocky Mount Art Center presents the exhibition, Clyde Jones: Critters. The exhibit runs through June 10th. On display are wood sculptures and paintings by Clyde Jones internationally recognized folk artist from Bynum, North Carolina.

Using a chainsaw to carve chunks of cedar wood Jones sculpts a variety of animal forms which are then brightly painted and decorated with assorted castoff junk items. Clyde also creates paintings and murals and his home is a decorated work of art in its own right.

Jones a 68-year-old former mill worker began making his critters after a work related injury forced him leave his occupation. Inspired by the natural forms, his critters show all the whimsy, imagination and creativity of a natural outsider artist who found his artistic calling late in life.

Clyde's sculpture can be found throughout the small town of Bynum, about 10 miles outside of Pittsboro North Carolina. He has become so well known and loved that an annual ClydeFest is held by the Chatham County Arts Council, and he has been presented with the first "Chatham Country Cultural Treasure Award." The critters have been exhibited all over the world, from the Great Wall of China to the Smithsonian Institution.

Clyde Jones finds his inspiration in nature and in the natural forms found in roots and stumps. He likes to incorporate castoff junk into his works and considers this a form of recycling. "You'd be surprised how much is wasted, you really would. A lot of other countries would be glad to have it."

If you have any questions, please call (252) 972- 1163 or visit us at 270 Gay Street, Rocky Mount.