Kenny Hill Lighthouse
Chauvin, Louisiana
WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge:
“Saturated”
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Kenny Hill Sculpture Garden
Kenny Hill, a bricklayer by day, and self-taught artist by evening and weekend, created over 100 pieces of sculpture out of cement and wire mesh. He was a private man, and the folk art pieces he created were not meant for anyone’s eyes but his. It is said he denied interviews and photographs. Not much is known about him, other than he started working on this folk art world in 1989 – 1990. He began transforming his shaded bayou environment into a mesmerizing chronicle of the world as seen through his eyes. There is a profound mixture of Biblical reference, with bright Cajun colors and stark black, with evident themes of pain, inner struggle, conflict between good and evil. A message of salvation is intertwined throughout the pieces. He has figures of black and white, male, female, a child, soldiers as well as many self-portrayals. All of the pieces are guided, supported or lifted by various versions of angels. Some of the angels seem celestial, some inviting while others seem daunting. Towards the back of the garden is the most prominent piece in the garden … a lighthouse. It is 45 feet tall, composed of 7,000 bricks, with figures clinging to the outside: cowboys, soldiers, angels, God, and Hill himself.
In January 2000, after having a disagreement with the local parish (one speculation), Kenny abruptly left the site and area. When visitors discovered his absence they found a hand painted message above the kitchen sink: “HELL IS HERE, WELCOME.”
For previous photos:
Kenny Hill Sculpture Garden
Chauvin, Louisiana
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What an unusual and beautiful place to visit 🙂 love the photos
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Incredible art ….
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The artist in my loves this! Thank you for sharing.
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Amazing! Incredible imagination and raw talent.
In Atlantic Canada there are quite a few “folk artists.” Maude Lewis was an amazing folk artist who painted her small house with images of maritime life. After her and her husband’s death, the house was lovingly taken apart and then installed in a special gallery of the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia. She painted the house for herself; she painted cards and small pictures for money to live on. The link is to the art gallery. http://www.artgalleryofnovascotia.ca/en/AGNS_Halifax/exhibitions/maudlewisgallery/default.aspx
There is that interesting connection between Louisiana and Nova Scotia again.
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OH How wonderful —- THANK YOU for the link!!
That is such a sweet, and loving atmosphere!! I’m glad it was preserved for generations to come!
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An incredible woman and like you, I’m glad it can be shared. There are some notecards and postcards with painting she did. A true folk artisan keeping a tradition alive.
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Well Mr. Hill certainly had a vision. Wonder whatever happened to him. Thanks for the visit and the like of my Weekly Photo Challenge post “Saturated”.
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No one seems to know — one of the great mysteries of the area!! Thank you for a visit and comment. 😀
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Wow! That is a very unusual and interesting story. Who owns the property now?
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Luckily, the property is now maintained by the area university!
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