For the past ten years, Birch has been documenting the African American culture of his native New Orleans in large-scale sculpture and drawings that emphasise body language, dress codes, and everyday rituals. His guileless polychrome sculptures evoke both social history and emotion. His use of talismans give the viewer a window to another time, be it through old construction nails symbolising power and strength to a small West African paper mach, stool that stands apart as a symbol of nobility. Dedicated to the children of New Orleans, this is the first publication to examine Birch's career whose re-imagining of African and Southern folk art inspires thought provoking discussions as well as contemporary sculpture and design. It includes two essays and an interview with the artist, as well as colour reproductions of key works dating from 1968-2004.
- ISBN13 9781555952655
- Publish Date 4 August 2006
- Publish Status Out of Stock
- Out of Print 7 May 2021
- Publish Country US
- Imprint Hudson Hills Press Inc.,U.S.
- Format Hardcover
- Pages 120
- Language English