Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, February 28, 1994 TAG: 9402260058
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: ADRIENNE PETTY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
A variety of human forms, scenes from daily life and expressions of political preference join this menagerie, creating a history lesson for Virginian viewers.
"A lot of canes either document a historical event, a historical place or a historical individual," said Roddy Moore, director of the institute.
The exhibit of 140 canes, which date from the 1820s to the present, draws from private and institutional collections.
Folk art canes - once propped in the dusty corners of closets as long past fashion - are now regarded as unique works of art. They were the rage in the late 19th century, when a gentleman wasn't considered well-dressed without one.
"From 1815 to 1820 up through this century, a cane was a dress accessory for a man," said Vaughan Webb, assistant director of the institute.
"Putting on your watch and picking up a cane was a necessity."
Many of the canes in the exhibit flaunt their Virginia roots.
The "Johnny Reb" canes, carved at the turn of the century, include images of Robert E. Lee as well as poetry _ sometimes unflattering to blacks in dialect - praising the Confederate effort.
Several canes from Lexington immortalize Stonewall Jackson, and a few carvers even derived the wood they used from battle sites or heroes' graves.
Thomas Jefferson Craddock, an Albemarle County carver, cranked out so many canes that many believe he sold them as souvenirs. Most of them honor his namesake, Thomas Jefferson.
Because cane-carving is a male-dominated craft, the images on canes usually reflect what were thought to be male concerns with politics, fraternal organizations, work and recreation. When women are shown, the pose is usually unflattering or risque.
The exhibit also features two of the oldest identifiable carvers in Virginia. The works of Zacharia Robertson, who carved in Roanoke County in the 1830s and 1840s, are decorated with dozens of animals and figures. Thomas Purkins, who lived in King George County in the 1840s, made canes from holly gathered on George Washington's birthplace.
Robertson's and Purkins' canes also were some of the few canes that were signed.
"Many of them didn't view themselves as artists to be recognized; their canes aren't signed," Webb said. "They never realized anyone would give such great attention to what they were carving."
Other canes with a distinct Virginia flair are from the Tobacco Leaf school, which have a Richmond focus.
Many of the walking sticks, however, could have just as easily hailed from outside of Virginia because they share images universal to canes across the world. In fact, every state in America, as well as Africa, Asia and Europe, has a cane-carving tradition.
"Every group of people has people who need them to walk," Moore said.
The most common motif in canes of all cultures and time periods is the animal, especially the snake, which easily lends itself to the form. In many cases, a brown, scaly snake wriggles up the shaft, while other snakes twist and interlock to form the cane itself. In keeping with the Institute's focus on showing both historical representations and contemporary manifestations of folk culture, the exhibit also showcases the work of 12 contemporary makers from across the state.
These walking sticks reflect older themes as well as popular culture, including one carved for retired NASCAR driver Richard Petty. It lists his victories and family tree and is painted "Petty blue" and red.
Another reincarnates tennis champion Arthur Ashe, toting a racquet and ball. Despite the size of the exhibit, none of the canes are duplicates. Their variety shows how popular the craft was in the late 19th and early 20th century. Unfortunately, the canes are mounted in the exhibit, which leaves one side blocked from the viewer's sight.
"When you say `cane' or `walking stick,' most people have no idea of the breadth of expression that particular artistic medium has produced," Webb said.
\ "FOLK CANES OF THE OLD DOMINION," 140 VIRGINIA-MADE WALKING STICKS FROM THE 1820S TO THE PRESENT, AT THE BLUE RIDGE INSTITUTE AT FERRUM COLLEGE. 365-4416.
by CNB