Dos Folkies Gallery: Outsider - Self-taught - Art Brut

About the Artist

Willie Jinks was born the son of a sharecropper in Locust Grove, Georgia in 1921.  He was one of thirteen children who at an early age became fascinated by animals, nature, and mechanical things.  Willie spent most of his adult years in Atlanta working for the Department of Sanitation where he salvaged materials and brought them home.  Upon retiring Willie began creating images on the materials he had gathered. He painted on doors, sheet metal, wood, paper, shoes, luggage, pretty much whatever was at hand.  His images of birds and buildings are bold and raw, often featuring bright reds and vibrant greens.  Willie is most famous for his ‘Hoperman’ (Hobbyman) character who shows up in much of his work.  It’s said that Hoperman is Willie’s alter ego.  Another trait that is pure Willie Jinks is the cryptic writing on most of his pieces.  Sometimes you can decipher what he’s saying; sometimes you just have to enjoy the lettering as part of the overall aesthetics of the piece. Willie’s art is raw and bold, sometimes reminiscent of the works of Mary T. Smith.  Time and age have caught up with Mr. Jinks, and he is no longer creating art.