James "Son Ford" Thomas

Thomas, James

American, 1926 - 1993

Explore selected works

The bust is a sculpture of a human head with detailed features including eyes, nose, and mouth. The subject has curly, brown hair and is wearing a single, large hoop earring. The color of the sculpture is mainly brown with shades of beige and red on the lips. The material appears to be a mix of substances with a textured and uneven surface. The sculpture is positioned slightly upward, looking to the side. It stands against a light grey background.
James "Son Ford" Thomas, Untitled, 1988, unfired clay, wire, aluminum foil, artificial hair, glass marbles, plastic bead, and paint, Patrons' Permanent Fund and Gift of the Souls Grown Deep Foundation, 2020.28.2

Untitled

James "Son Ford" Thomas · 1988 · unfired clay, wire, aluminum foil, artificial hair, glass marbles, plastic bead, and paint ·  Accession ID  2020.28.2

The sculpture depicts a head of a human figure with exaggerated facial expressions, featuring large, rounded eyes, a wide-open mouth, and a pronounced nose. It is made of a light brown, terracotta-like material with black elements for hair and eyebrows. The texture appears coarse and matte, highlighting the facial features. The sculpture is roughly life-sized and displayed without a neck on a flat base, resembling an independent bust form.
James "Son Ford" Thomas, Untitled Self-Portrait, 1987, unfired clay, artificial hair, glass marbles, and paint, Patrons' Permanent Fund and Gift of the Souls Grown Deep Foundation, 2020.28.3

Untitled Self-Portrait

James "Son Ford" Thomas · 1987 · unfired clay, artificial hair, glass marbles, and paint ·  Accession ID  2020.28.3

The sculpture is of a human head with detailed facial features, including prominent eyes with glassy, reflective surfaces, a short bushy mustache made of real hair, and textured hair on the scalp. The overall color of the sculpture is a mix of muted grays and beiges, giving an aged appearance. The material appears to be a combination of clay or plaster, along with possibly other materials for the eyes and mustache. The expression on the face is neutral, with slightly parted lips showing individually crafted teeth.
James "Son Ford" Thomas, Untitled, 1987, unfired clay, artificial hair, glass marbles, paint, and collar stud, Patrons' Permanent Fund and Gift of the Souls Grown Deep Foundation, 2020.28.5

Untitled

James "Son Ford" Thomas · 1987 · unfired clay, artificial hair, glass marbles, paint, and collar stud ·  Accession ID  2020.28.5

The sculpture is a bust of a human head with exaggerated features, deep lines across the forehead, and a prominent nose. The surface is smooth and pale beige suggesting a material like stone or plaster. It includes oversized brown sunglasses and dark brown hair resembling a beard, adding a contemporary touch.
James "Son Ford" Thomas, Untitled, 1987, unfired clay, artificial hair, sunglasses, and glass marbles, Patrons' Permanent Fund and Gift of the Souls Grown Deep Foundation, 2020.28.4

Untitled

James "Son Ford" Thomas · 1987 · unfired clay, artificial hair, sunglasses, and glass marbles ·  Accession ID  2020.28.4

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Bibliography

2000

  • Arnett, Paul, and William Arnett. Souls grown deep : African American vernacular art of the South. 2 vols. Atlanta, 2000-2001.