Wooden Rhino
The "Blakie" Langlais estate has been left to Colby College in conjunction with the Kohler Foundation, that is cataloging, restoring, repairing and conserving his art. Many of his whimsical sculptures are scattered about his 80 acres of overgrown fields and woods in Cushing. Soon in 2014, the estate's sculpture park will be open for public viewing. Colby College in Waterville will be showing a large collection of his work opening this coming fall. Traveling around the state, his 'creatures' seem to pop up just about any place. I do believe this rhino used to 'live' on the USM campus in Gorham. Right now, the Portland Committee on Public Art is searching for an indoor home for his 10 foot standing bear. I hear there are well in excess of 3,000 pieces of his wooden art. Most are a bit larger than life, similar to this one, however there are many in miniature that could sit nicely on a tabletop.
Where did the man get his inspiration?
His father was a carpenter.
pretty funky. :)
ReplyDeleteThis one is great! I'd love to see the rest.
ReplyDeleteThink of how many people have enjoyed--and will continue to enjoy-- his 'whimsical' sculptures . . .
ReplyDeletei really like his creatures!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE this one! ;-)
ReplyDeleteFine looking rhino. My wife keeps talking about putting a rhino sculpture in your yard. Would love to see this art work first hand.
ReplyDeleteI would really like to know better this guy, his works are raw but quite impressive!
ReplyDeleteI'll bet he started with his father's leftover scraps. I'm enjoying his work!
ReplyDeleteWouldn't quite fit in my house, otherwise I would certainly adopt this fine rhino.
ReplyDeleteI like his style!
ReplyDeleteNice post as usual.
ReplyDeleteReminds me of a John Prine song:
Grandpa was a carpenter built houses, stores and banks
Chain smoked Camel cigarettes and hammered nails in planks
He was level on the level and shaved every door
And he voted for Eisenhower because Lincoln won the war
What happened to just having a Gnome.
ReplyDeleteI read the Kohler article as well as one in the NYTimes (online). What an interesting prolific folk artist. How sad that he died with many years of creativity left. I look forward to seeing more of these.
ReplyDeleteBises,
Genie
Very cute and original!
ReplyDeleteYos had better take cover if this one charges!
ReplyDeleteClever way to recycle leftover scraps of wood.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to seeing them, I've enjoyed them in various places in maine, including USM...Thanks for sharing the info...
ReplyDeleteThis rhino is fabulous! For decades I have been hinting that I want a big bear for my yard, you know, the kind made with chain saws? So far no one has given me one. But my birthday is coming up again . . . . . . .
ReplyDeleteI wonder how the wood weathers out-of-doors?
ReplyDelete