Lot 183: LOWCOUNTRY THOMAS C. SMOAK STEEL SCULPTURE

Black Steel Lowcountry Scene "Sweetgrass Baskets" Sculpture by Artist Thomas C. Smoak Jr. of McClellanville SC. The piece measures 14 1/2 inches long, 14" high and features one of the lowcountry basket weavers at work. Weight is 3 pds 10 oz. Each sculpture of Thomas Smoak is drawn on the steel by hand and then cut out using a Oxygen and Acetylene welders torch. PROVENANCE: The Estate of Artist Katherine M. Schneider. Thomas Smoak Jr. was born in Charleston on February 24, 1960. He grew up in the Cainhoy area of Berkeley County, on the Wando River, where he spent most of his childhood fishing, crabbing and hunting. From the artists site "My mother was the postmaster of the Wando Post Office, which was in our front yard in Cainhoy. In the summertime, some of the old local black men would walk by the post office, with an oar over their shoulder and carrying a bucket, cast net, fishing pole, etc. I was usually sitting on the front steps, and seeing no reason not to, I would take off behind them, and most of the time they would let me go fishing with them. My memories of these men and the stories they told are featured in my work. My father was the magistrate in that part of Berkeley County, and there was always something happening. Court was usually held in our living room, or many times, right in our front yard. So many stories I heard, true or not, are still things I sketch and use in my work." ***Pickup only or Shipping on furniture offered through the On the Go Transport 843-360-7472, Outward Bound 413-854-3676, The UPS store 843-202-0141 or locally AJ Williams & Sons 843-442-0462. Please contact them or your own choice of shipper directly. ***

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