Willie Massey

Tenant farm-worker whose practical skills led to the fabrication of elaborate birdhouses, miniaturised machinery and aircraft, and a painted autobiography with an idiosyncratic homespun style. Two of these latter works are featured in the show, and reference his arable history and life.

Collections: Birmingham Museum of Art (Alabama), Morris Museum of Art (Georgia).
Exhibitions: African-American Art in Kentucky (1998), Weston Art Gallery (Ohio); Passionate Visions of the American South (1993), NOMA (New Orleans).
Publications: Passionate Visions of the American South (1993), AR Yelen.