BIRDS BURL BRANCHES & BARK

STEVEN S. POWERS & JOSHUA LOWENFELS

BIRDS BURL BRANCHES & BARK a collection of paintings, folk art and sculpture from the 19th-21st centuries

STEVEN S. POWERS & JOSHUA LOWENFELS

BIRDS BURL BRANCHES & BARK a collection of paintings, folk art and sculpture from the 19th-21st centuries BIRDS BURL BRANCHES & BARK presents the divergent and overlapping interests and aesthetics of Steven S. Powers and Joshua Lowenfels around the loose premise of flora and flying fauna.

Powers’ aesthetic flirts with the traditional, however walks the line of the unexpected and unorthodox, while Lowenfels is well established in the unpredictable, incidental and surprisingly sublime.

Though each presents their own interpretation of the theme—incidental Venn diagram-like overlaps

occur. For example, Powers offers a carved granite mother bird with covey by African-American artist James W. Washington, Jr. and Lowenfels counters with nineteenth-century salt and pepper molds in the form of a pair of bird’s eggs with human babies hatching from within. Another is Lowenfels’

unanticipated lid from a tar bucket, with its ground colored a most beautiful vermillion with random dabs of tar upon it—it is a mandala. Powers pairs this with a naive painting by George E. Morgan

entitled, Bird of Paradise—its tail feathers echoing the color and metaphysical suggestion of the tar lid.

Powers and Lowenfels will present these and other works at Metro Curates, January 22-25, 2015, 125 West 18th ST, New York, NY 10011.

For more information:

Steven S. Powers

Joshua Lowenfels

718-625-1715 / 917-518-0809

212-362-2032 / 914-715-1061

stevenspowers.com

steve@stevenspowers.com

joshualowenfels.com

joshlowenfels@aol.com

New England Bat House Circa: 1880 Size: 16 5/8" (h) x 12 1/2" (w) x 4 3/8" (d) courtesy of Steven S. Powers

Emile Branchard (New York, 1881-1938) Untitled Trees (Connecticut) Oil on artist board Circa: 1925 Size: 11 1/2" (w) x 15" (h) courtesy of Steven S. Powers

Steven Powers (1968-) Maine: Stonington Woods Oil on panel Dated: 2014 Size: 8 3/4" (w) x 11 3/4" (h) courtesy of Steven S. Powers

The Cycle of Life Small bicycle of tubular steel, rubber wheels, frozen within the growth of a tree’s trunk.

Midwestern United States Circa: 2nd half of the 20thC Size: 45" (h) x 48" (w) A specimen now desiccated in display 'twas in life that the two had met in some way A child’s bicycle held to a fair degree 'twas in life having been absorbed by a tree courtesy of Joshua Lowenfels

James W. Washington, Jr. (American 1909-2000) Bird Family Dated: 1973 Size: 12 1/4" (l) x 8 1/8" (d) x 7 1/2" (h) courtesy of Steven S. Powers

Egg Cups Molded Plaster of Paris Connecticut Circa: Late 19thC Size: 5 1/2" (h) x 2" (d) courtesy of Joshua Lowenfels

Steven Powers (1968-) First Blossoms Oil on panel Dated: 2014 Size: 8 3/4" (h) x 11 3/4" (w) courtesy of Steven S. Powers

John Bisbee (1965-) Thicket (detail) Forged and welded spikes, archival lacquer Circa: 2014 Size: 32" (h) x 28" (w) x 14 (d) courtesy of Steven S. Powers

Lumber Baron A flat panel of prepared oak painted with a portrait in oil, surrounded by deep carving that mimics the bark of a tree.

Circa: 1890 Size: 27-1/4" (h) x 15-1/2" (w) courtesy of Joshua Lowenfels

James W. Washington, Jr. (American 1909-2000) HUNGRY GULL Dated: 1977 Size: 7 3/8" (w) x 5 5/8" (h) courtesy of Steven S. Powers

Bark Niche Tableau Assemblage—cedar chips on shelved box construction, taxidermy with metal leash, held by costume hand.

Circa: 20thC Size: 23" (h) x 18" (w) x 12" (d)

courtesy of Joshua Lowenfels

(far left) Stephen Brown (1950-2009) Tree II (Weeping Cherry) Oil on paper mounted on panel Circa: 2008-2009 Size: 14 7/8" (h) x 6 1/2" (w) courtesy of Steven S. Powers

(left) Important African American Folk Art Carved Cane Carved wood, glass eyes, metal turtle fetish Dated: 1881 Size: 36" (h) courtesy of Steven S. Powers

(right) Stephen Brown (1950-2009) Tree I (Weeping Cherry) Oil on paper mounted on panel Circa: 2008-2009 Size: 11 1/2" (h) x 5 1/2" (w) courtesy of Steven S. Powers

Sponge Bobbin A rubber and glass scuba mask overgrown in sea sponge, oddly taking on the image of the mask’s wearer.

Key West, Florida Circa: 1st half 20thC 13-1/2" (h) 8" x (w) x 6" (d) courtesy of Joshua Lowenfels

Food for Thought A pouch of sewn rawhide pillowed with petrified cheese New York State Circa: late 18thC / early 19thC Size: 15 1/2" (h) x 10" (w) x 8" (d) courtesy of Joshua Lowenfels

Eskimo Vest Colored thread, glass bead embroidery, wool backed cotton, seal skin.

The face in the center goes by the name of Billiken, "God of things as they ought to be.�

Seattle, Washington Circa: 1909 Size: 22" (h) x 16" (w) x 9" (d) courtesy of Joshua Lowenfels

Alfred Eisenstaedt (1898-1995) Giant Oak Tree Silver Gelatin Print Martha's Vineyard, North Tisbury, MA Circa: 1968 Size: 7" (w) x 9" (h) courtesy of Steven S. Powers

Steven Powers (1968-) Untitled Tree: Oak Oil on panel Dated: 2014 Size: 8 3/4" (h) x 11 3/4" (w) courtesy of Steven S. Powers

Steven Powers (1968-) Maine: Acadian Oaks Oil on panel Dated: 2014 Size: 11 3/4" (h) x 15 3/4" (w) courtesy of Steven S. Powers

Folk Art Phallic Cane Varnished wood and bark outer with areas of subtle carving Eastern United States Circa: 1890 -1910 Size: 35" H x 5 - 1/4" W Provenance: Herbert Hemphill collection Literature: Folk Erotica, Milton Simpson courtesy of Joshua Lowenfels

Knockers Brass Circa: 1900 Size: 5" (d) x 4" (h) courtesy of Joshua Lowenfels

Paperweight Beauties Manipulated clear and colored glass Massachusetts Circa: 1933 Size: 3-1/2" (h) x 2-3/4" (d) courtesy of Joshua Lowenfels

Widow’s Comforter Wood, pigment Kent County, Maryland Circa: 1800 Size: 7 1/2" (l) x 2 1/2" (w) courtesy of Steven S. Powers

Anonymous Ribbon Clouds Oil on artist board Circa: 1890 Size: 6" (h) x 8" (w) courtesy of Steven S. Powers

James W. Washington, Jr. (American 1909-2000) Hawaiian Ai-Laiki = Ricebird Dated: 1974 Size: 7 1/2" (l) x 4 1/2" (d) x 7" (h) courtesy of Steven S. Powers

Stephen Brown (1950-2009) Ball of Twine Oil on paper mounted on panel Circa: 2006 Size: 4 3/4" (w) x 5 1/8" (h) courtesy of Steven S. Powers

John Bisbee (1965-) Bristle Ball (small) Welded nails Circa: 1999-2000 Size: 6" (diameter) courtesy of Steven S. Powers

W. Conway Meathead Oil on canvas Circa: 1890 Size: 20" (w) x 14" (h) courtesy of Steven S. Powers

Fraternal Mask of the Lamb Molded paper composition covered in mohair yarn.

New York State Circa: 1880 – 1900 Size: 7-1/2" (h) x 10-1/4" (w) x 11-1/2" (d) courtesy of Joshua Lowenfels

Steven Powers (1968-) Untitled Tree: Sycamore Oil on panel Dated: 2014 Size: 8 3/4" (h) x 11 3/4” (w) courtesy of Steven S. Powers

Painter’s Pail A yellow woodenware bucket, encrusted with red paint New York State Circa: 19th century Size: 14" (h) x 12-1/2" (w) x 13-1/2" (d) courtesy of Joshua Lowenfels

Camp Happy Hour Hand-colored vintage silver print New York State Circa: 1920 Size: 17" (h) x 23" (w) x 1-1/4" (d) courtesy of Joshua Lowenfels

Bird House Hollowed-out log Circa: 1900 Size: 54" (l) x 15" (w) x 24" (h) courtesy of Joshua Lowenfels

Gretchen Treitz (1952-) Study for In The Shadows Watercolor, white gold leaf on paper Dated: 2014 Size: 8" (h) x 10" (w) courtesy of Steven S. Powers

Homer Gunn Bird’s Nest Copper and bronze Circa: 1960 Size: 11" (d) x 7 1/2" (h) courtesy of Joshua Lowenfels

Oaxacan Wolf Mask Wood Circa: 1900 Size: 14" (h) x 8 1/2" (w) courtesy of Steven S. Powers

Grey Glyph Stone Pewter Circa: Mid 20thC Size: 5 3/4" (l) x 3 1/2" (w) x 1" (d) courtesy of Joshua Lowenfels

Carved Stone Book Stone Circa: Late 19thC Size: 4 1/2" (h) x 3" (w) x 3/4" (d) courtesy of Joshua Lowenfels

Eastern Great Lakes Beaver Effigy Ladle Circa: 1780 Size: 9 1/8" (h) Provenance: Andy Warhol Collection, Sotheby's, New York, 1988.

Pictured and discussed in North American Burl Treen, p. 165 courtesy of Steven S. Powers

A Small Medicine Ladle with Reductive Manitou or Abstract Quahog Shell Circa: 1780 Size: 4 1/4" (h) Pictured and discussed in North American Burl Treen, p. 166 courtesy of Steven S. Powers

Exceptional Northeastern Ash Burl Bowl with Beehive Turnings Circa: 1760-1780 Size: 12" (d) x 6 1/2" (h) Pictured and discussed in North American Burl Treen, page 42.

Provenance: DeVere Card courtesy of Steven S. Powers

Water Pipe Lathe-turned log with male and female ends, wrapped in iron coil, covered in pitch Binghamton, NY Circa: 1800-1840 Size: 73" (h) x 6" (d) courtesy of Joshua Lowenfels

(right) Mechanical Mirrored Ball Mirror set into hollow faceted form of blackened wood and plaster atop a clockwork can. Attached to wood base, curving iron struts support vertical rotation Circa: 1900-1940 Size: 29 3/4" (h) x 18" (w) x 15" (d) courtesy of Joshua Lowenfels

(left) George E. Morgan (Maine, 1870-1969) Bird of Paradise Oil on artist board Circa: 1964 Size: 9" (w) x 12" (h)

(above) The Shape of Chance and Happenstance Weathered transformation of a tarred and painted steel tar lid Circa: 1930-50 Size: 18" (diameter)

courtesy of Steven S. Powers

courtesy of Joshua Lowenfels

Folk Art Carved Policeman Whirligig with Tin Sleeves Circa: 1880 Size: 18 1/8" (h) x 10" (w) Provenance: Joseph Mortinson; Kennedy Galleries; Raymond Saroff / Howard Rose Collection.

Literature & Exhibitions: Unexpected Eloquence, The Edith Blum Art Institute, Bard College, Annandale-on-Hudson, 1990, by Howard Rose published to coincide with the exhibit, “The Fine Art of American Folk,” The Edith C. Blum Institute, Bard College, 1990. courtesy of Steven S. Powers

Nebraskan Reliquary Portrait photograph and caged fragments on soldered metal plaque with wrought-in text documenting the burning of a church by a lodge called the Free-thinkers.

Nebraska Circa: Late 19thC Size: 28 1/4" (h) x 9 1/2" (w) x 2 3/8” Text: ERNEST GRESSING, THIS IS THE CARPENTER THAT BUILT THE CHURCH IN THE SOUTH WEST CORNER SECT 31 IN 1889.

THIS BROKEN BRICK AND BURNED GLASS IS FROM THE S T. MATTHAI LUTHERAN CHURCH THAT WAS BUILT IN THE SOUTH WEST CORNER SECTION 29.

WISNER TOWNSHIP CUMING COUNTY NEBRASKA IN 1886.

AND BURNED BY "THE FREIDENKERS" THE NIGHT BEFORE IT WAS TO BE DEDICATED. THREE MEN ON HORSEBACK TUTCH HER OFF AND WENT WEST ALL THE HORSES CAN BRING. WAS SEEN BY A LADY ON THE S.W. Q SECTION 30. WISNER TOWNSHIP ABOUT 11.P. M. MEN FROM 1 . OR 1000.

LODGES CALLED THEM SELF FREIDENKERS. THE CHURCH IN THE S.W. CORNER SECTION 31.

WAS GARDED FOR 2 . WEEKS WITH A CROSS BARREL. 1889 courtesy of Joshua Lowenfels

Elmer Youmans (Harrisburg, PA) Archaeopteryx: The Earliest Known Bird Oil on board Circa: 1966 Size: 37" (h) x 27" (w) courtesy of Joshua Lowenfels

John Bisbee (1965-) Mane Welded nails Dated: December 2013 Size: 15 1/2" (h) x 7" (w) x 4" (d) courtesy of Steven S. Powers

STEVEN S. POWERS & JOSHUA LOWENFELS STEVEN S. POWERS stevenspowers.com steve@stevenspowers.com 718-625-1715 / 917-518-0809

SHOW LOCATION THE METROPOLITAN PAVILION 125 W 18TH ST. (BTW 6TH/7TH AVES) NEW YORK, NY 10011

O GALA PREVIEW O

JOSHUA LOWENFELS joshualowenfels.com joshlowenfels@aol.com 212-362-2032 / 914-715-1061

SHOW DATES AND HOURS THURSDAY, JANUARY 22 | 11 AM–7 PM FRIDAY, JANUARY 23 | 11 AM–7 PM SATURDAY, JANUARY 24 | 11 AM–7 PM SUNDAY, JANUARY 25 | 12 PM–5:30 PM

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 21 | 6 PM—9 PM

BIRDS BURL BRANCHES & BARK a collection of paintings, folk art and sculpture from the 19th-21st centuries