Illinois State Museum
Springfield, IL
217-782-7387
http://www.museum.state.il.us/
From the Creative Hand: The Carvings of
W.D. Neher
The Illinois State Museum presents
From the Creative Hand: The Carvings of W.D. Neher now through January 2,
2000. W.D. Neher (1868-1961) was known for his exquisitely carved wood sculptures.
A legend in Chenoa during his lifetime, Neher's artistic activities were
gradually forgotten after his death, until a number of carvings still stored
in his studio were rediscovered. Illinois folk art collector and lecturer
Merle H. Glick in conjunction with the Lakeveiw Museum of Arts and Science,
has assembled over fifty of Neher's carved wall reliefs, sculptures, furniture
and paintings for this exhibition.
Neher
lived in Chenoa, Illinois where he made his living as a commercial photographer,
while pursuing his avocation of wood-carving. He never sold his works commercially,
but shared them with friends and members of his family, giving carvings,
especially the wooden ones as gifts. Neher used only a pocket knife, screwdriver
and sandpaper to make his carvings which ranged in scale from modest wall
decorations to large pieces of furniture. His large body of work is based
on a variety of subject matter including rural landscapes, narratives with
figures, bible stories, personal memories and portraits of friends. Some
of the works are painted, enhancing their realism, others retain their natural
wood coloring and grain.
Highlights of the exhibition are Fish Chair, a chair
embellished with carved fish, cattails and organic shapes; The Last Supper,
a has relief version of Leonard Da Vinci's painting; and Baptizo,
which depicts Neher's minister father performing a traditional Dunkard triple-immersion
baptism along the banks of the Mackinaw River.This exhibition was funded
in part by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forest
Resources and the U.S. Forest Service, State and Private Forestry.
The Illinois State Museum is located at Spring and Edwards
Streets and is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday,
and from 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free. Parking is available
nearby and the building is accessible to individuals with disabilities.
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Neher
lived in Chenoa, Illinois where he made his living as a commercial photographer,
while pursuing his avocation of wood-carving. He never sold his works commercially,
but shared them with friends and members of his family, giving carvings,
especially the wooden ones as gifts. Neher used only a pocket knife, screwdriver
and sandpaper to make his carvings which ranged in scale from modest wall
decorations to large pieces of furniture. His large body of work is based
on a variety of subject matter including rural landscapes, narratives with
figures, bible stories, personal memories and portraits of friends. Some
of the works are painted, enhancing their realism, others retain their natural
wood coloring and grain.