Description
Book Synopsis: In Spiritual American Trash, Greg Bottoms goes beyond the examination of eight “outsider artists” and inhabits the spirit of their work and stories in engaging vignettes. From the janitor who created a holy throne room out of scraps in a garage, to the lonely wartime mother who filled her home with driftwood replicas of Bible scenes, Bottoms illustrates the peculiar grace in madness.
Using facts as scaffolding, he constructs intimate narratives around each artist, painting their poor and difficult circumstances on the outskirts of American society and demonstrating struggle’s influence on their largely undiscovered art. Both mournful and celebratory, these profiles embrace these compulsive creators with empathy and visceral sensory details.
Each sentence reads with the cadence of a preacher who engages the art of the spirit and passion that often strays into obsession. Raised in the working-class South as a devout Christian with a deeply troubled brother, Bottoms understands how these eight outsiders “made art for a higher power and for themselves.”
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Experience the captivating and thought-provoking world of Spiritual American Trash: Portraits from the Margins of Art and Faith. Join author Greg Bottoms as he delves into the lives of eight extraordinary "outsider artists" and brings their work to life in this compelling book. In these pages, you will witness the incredible determination and creativity that flourishes in the most unlikely of circumstances.
Greg Bottoms goes beyond mere examination, immersing himself in the spirit of each artist's work and stories. Through engaging vignettes, he narrates the journey of a janitor who transforms a humble garage into a holy throne room made from discarded scraps. You'll also meet a wartime mother who finds solace in creating driftwood replicas of Bible scenes. This book beautifully illustrates the profound beauty and grace that can be found within madness.
What sets Spiritual American Trash apart is Bottoms' ability to weave facts into intimate narratives, shedding light on the struggles and hardships faced by these artists on the fringes of American society. Each profile is a tribute to their remarkable art, created in the face of poverty and adversity. Prepare to be moved by the empathetic and visceral sensory details that bring these stories to life.
The language of the book carries the resonance of a passionate preacher, embracing the art of the spirit and the power of obsession. Growing up in the working-class South and grappling with the challenges of a troubled brother, Bottoms shares a deep understanding of the profound desire to create art for a higher power and for oneself.
Don't miss out on this extraordinary literary journey into the world of outsider art. Immerse yourself in the pages of Spiritual American Trash and discover the incredible talent that exists on the margins of society. Click here to get your copy now and experience the unique voices that defy convention.
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