Born into slavery and living most of his life in a 40-mile radius of Montgomery, Alabama, Bill Traylor (1853-1949) began painting and drawing in his 80s, mostly while perched on steps in downtown Montgomery as bystanders watched him draw. His “raw simplistic sketches” that were somewhat reminiscent of colorful primitive cave paintings reflected themes and objects familiar to him such as houses, animals, plants, and people.
His works were displayed for a short time in Montgomery and later in a New York art exhibition in the 1970s, but greater recognition came after his death. Unfortunately, due to the “fragility of the materials he worked with” (he often painted on discarded cardboard, boxes, and posters) and that much of his artwork was thrown away or discarded, many works are no longer available. Yet numerous pieces are showcased in this retrospective of his life.
Following the Civil War and Reconstruction, he worked as a farmer, raising cotton and livestock until the boll weevil infestation in the 1920s put a halt to his work. In his later years, he had periods of homelessness with local shopkeepers providing food and shelter.
The film includes onscreen interviews with family members, art critics, professors, writers, musicians, and archivists balanced against black and white photos, vintage documents, and historic footage. Memorable jazz-infused background music, tap dancing sequences, and readings based on original documents, recordings, and book snippets enlighten the retrospective.
Final footage shows an unveiling of Traylor’s tombstone years after he was buried in an unmarked grave. The solemn event is attended by family members, friends, and dignitaries, including speakers who remember Traylor as an artist who found his creative voice without professional training.
This meaningful video puts into perspective the life of an important twentieth-century American artist who needs to be remembered and recognized. The home video price is $19.95. Recommended. Aud: C, P.