Elijah Pierce facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Elijah Pierce
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Sculpture of Pierce in Downtown Columbus
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| Born | March 5, 1892 |
| Died | May 7, 1984 (aged 92) |
Elijah Pierce (1892-1984) was an amazing American wood carver. He was born on a farm in Baldwyn, Mississippi, on March 5, 1892. Elijah started carving wood when he was very young, using just a pocket knife. He first carved animals because he grew up on a farm.
In 1982, Pierce received the National Heritage Fellowship. This award honored his incredible art and his impact on woodcarving.
Elijah Pierce's Early Life
Elijah Pierce was one of the youngest sons in his family. He began carving wood at age seven. His father gave him his first pocketknife. His uncle, Lewis Wallace, taught him how to carve more detailed pieces.
Elijah loved to share his art. He would give his carvings to other children at school. As a teenager, Elijah decided he did not want to be a farmer. He spent time at the local barbershop. There, he found another skill he loved. Besides being a great wood carver, Pierce was also a well-known barber.
Many of Pierce's carvings were gifts for his wives. In the 1920s, he carved a whole zoo of wooden animals for his wife, Cornelia. Each animal told a different story. Some were from the Bible, and others were from folktales he heard as a child.
Pierce's favorite work was the Book of Wood. This was a large wooden book that he carved stories into. The book showed the story of Jesus. This was the first time Pierce made a carving different from his usual small sculptures. He later made many more carvings like the Book of Wood. Each one had its own special story and meaning.
Amazing Art Accomplishments
Elijah Pierce's artwork was shown in many important places. He had exhibitions at galleries like the Krannert Art Museum. His art was also displayed at the Phyllis Kind Gallery in New York. The National Museum of American Art and the Renwick Gallery also showed his work.
His carvings are part of the collections at the American Folk Art Museum. You can also find his art in the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
In 1973, Pierce won first prize at an art meeting in Zagreb, Yugoslavia. In 1982, he received the National Heritage Fellowship. This is the highest honor for folk and traditional arts in the United States. It was one of the first times this award was given.
Elijah Pierce is known as one of the most important wood carvers of the last few centuries.
The Martin Luther King Jr. Performing and Cultural Arts Complex in Columbus, Ohio, has a gallery named after him. It is called the Elijah Pierce Gallery. The Columbus Museum of Art has over 300 of his artworks. Much of Pierce's amazing work became even more famous after he passed away.
Pierce's Family Life
Elijah Pierce's parents were formerly enslaved people. His uncle, Lewis Wallace, helped him become a better wood carver.
Pierce married his first wife, Zetta Palm. They had a son together. Sadly, Zetta passed away. In September 1923, Pierce married his second wife, Cornelia Houeston. She passed away from cancer in 1948. In 1949, Pierce married his third and final wife, Estelle Green.
See also
- Elijah Pierce Properties
