Birds of a Feather
Wildfowl Carving in Southeast Louisiana
Whether considered as discrete objects or transmitters of a larger folkloric tradition, decoys transcend their material essence. They offer paths to exploring Louisiana’s unique individuals, communities, and cultures.
Birds of a Feather offers an introduction to the art and history of an important Louisiana tradition. Part 1, “Early Working Decoys,” features the utilitarian yet artistic expressions created in seven geographic areas of Louisiana from the mid-nineteenth through the mid-twentieth centuries. Part 2, “Contemporary Carvings,” traces the evolution of decoy carving from a folk art to a competitive art and features decoys by some of today’s most celebrated decorative carvers, including Jimmie Vizier and Tan and Jett Brunet. This catalog accompanied a 2007–8 exhibition at the Historic New Orleans Collection.
Birds of a Feather: Wildfowl Carving in Southeast Louisiana
HNOC 2007
softcover • 9" × 10" • 44 pp.
64 color images
ISBN 978-0-917860-78-2
$5.00
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