William Leroy Hawkins

Place: Oxford

Born: 1895

Death: 1990

Biography:

William Leroy Hawkins was an American folk artist whose work began receiving acclaim in the 1980s. He was born in Oxford, United States on 1895 and died in 1990. William L. Hawkins frequently used a variety of media, including discarded materials, to create his paintings.

Early Life and Career

Hawkins was born into a poor family and had limited formal education. He began working at a young age and later served in the US Army during World War I. After the war, he returned to his hometown and worked as a laborer.

Artistic Style and Technique

Hawkins artistic style is characterized by his use of bold colors and simple forms. He often used discarded materials such as masonite and other found objects to create his paintings. His works have been exhibited in institutions such as the Smithsonian American Art Museum, American Folk Art Museum in New York City, and San Diego's Mingei International Museum.

Notable Works and Exhibitions

Some of Hawkins notable works include Jumbo Elephant #3, which can be found on https://Wikioo.org/@@/D47SVF-William-Leroy-Hawkins-Jumbo-Elephant-#3. A major retrospective of Hawkins paintings was organized in 2018 by the Columbus Museum of Art and the Figge Art Museum in Davenport, Iowa.

Awards and Recognition

Hawkins artworks are also available in the Smithsonian American Art Museum and https://Wikioo.org/@/William-Leroy-Hawkins. His work has been recognized for its unique style and technique, and he is considered one of the most important American folk artists of the 20th century.

• Folk Art: Hawkins artistic style is characterized by his use of bold colors and simple forms.
• Discarded Materials: He often used discarded materials such as masonite and other found objects to create his paintings.
• Exhibitions: His works have been exhibited in institutions such as the Smithsonian American Art Museum, American Folk Art Museum in New York City, and San Diego's Mingei International Museum.