Ulysses Davis (artist) facts for kids

Ulysses Davis (January 13, 1913 – 1990) was an amazing African-American barber and artist. He taught himself how to sculpt! Davis is famous for carving wooden figures, especially historical people. He made a set of busts (head and shoulder sculptures) of all the U.S. presidents up to George H. W. Bush. He also carved leaders from the Civil Rights era, like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the Kennedy family.

Becoming a Sculptor

Ulysses Davis was born in Fitzgerald, Georgia, in 1913. His dad worked on the railroad, and his mom took care of their home. Ulysses was one of five children. He left school after fourth grade to help his family. He worked as a blacksmith's helper for the railroad.

Even as a child, Ulysses loved to carve wood. He would use a pocket knife to whittle the family's firewood. This was the start of his journey as a sculptor!

In 1942, Davis moved his family to Savannah, Georgia. He lived there for 48 years with his wife, Elizabeth, and their nine children. When he lost his railroad job in the 1950s, he opened his own barber shop. It was called the Ulysses Barber Shop.

The Barber Shop Art Gallery

Ulysses Davis turned his barber shop into a special art gallery. He lined the shelves with his amazing wood carvings. While cutting hair, he loved talking about art with his customers.

He usually carved his sculptures, busts, and portraits without drawing them first. He would start with a hatchet or a band saw to get the basic shape. Then, he would finish the details with a chisel or a knife. He even made many of his own tools! He used the metalworking skills he learned as a young man working on the railroad. Sometimes, he even used barber scissors to get the right texture on his sculptures. He would also add shoe polish, rhinestones, and beads to his art.

Ulysses Davis truly loved his creations. He once said, "These things are very dear to me. They’re a part of me. They’re my treasure. If I sold these, I’d be really poor."

How Ulysses Davis Created His Art

Davis worked with many types of wood. Some of his favorites were mahogany, cedar, and poplar. He sometimes got wood from friends who worked at the Savannah docks.

He rarely made drawings before he started carving. He would use a hatchet or a band saw to create the main form. Then, he would use a chisel or knife to add the fine details. He even made some of his own tools. He used his skills from working as a railroad blacksmith to create these special tools.

Some of his carvings were painted or stained. He also rubbed them with black shoe polish. He often decorated them with shiny rhinestones and pearl beads. He even designed his own metal punches and stamps. He used these to create cool textures, like the lizard-like skin on his sculptures "Beast With Wings" and "Created Beast With Many Heads."

Ulysses Davis made over 300 pieces of art in his lifetime. These included carved wooden figures, furniture, and wall reliefs. He used unique materials like wood from shipyards or pieces given to him by friends. He also bought wood from lumberyards. To add texture, he sometimes used tools from his barber trade, like the blade of his hair clippers.

What Inspired His Sculptures?

Ulysses Davis was known for his carvings of historical figures. But he also carved many other things! He made portraits of people from history and the Bible. He sculpted realistic animals and imaginative portraits of African tribal leaders. He even created dragon-like beasts!

Davis was inspired by art from different parts of Africa. For example, his sculpture "Makonde" is like the "Tree of Life" found in art from Tanzania and Mozambique. It also includes a two-faced god, like the ones in Yoruba stories. He also used pictures of African warrior kings from an old calendar as inspiration for some sculptures.

His art wasn't just about Africa. He also created a sculpture of a pot-bellied Buddha. He made an armless figure with features like masks from the Himalayas, which he called "Red Lips."

Some of his most detailed works were decorative objects he called "twinklets." These were tiered boxes that looked like wedding cakes. They were decorated with beads and crystals. He also made canes, tables, and other useful items. His last and biggest work was "The Garden of Eden." It shows Adam and Eve sitting between the legs of a table. A smiling snake rises from the tabletop!