Ossie Lee “O.L.” Samuels (1931-2017) was a renowned African-American folk artist who was a Gullah Geechee descendant. Born in Wilcox County, Ga., Samuels started working odd jobs at the age of six, never having the opportunity to attend school or learn to read.
After spending time in New York where he had a stint as a prizefighter, he returned to Georgia in the early 1960s and became a tree surgeon. At age 50, a treetop toppled, striking his head and causing him to fall 130 feet. The accident nearly cost him his life, leaving him temporarily wheelchair bound and depressed.
During his slow recovery from the injuries, Samuels remembered that his grandmother—a freed slave—had told him that one should carve on wood to relieve depression. In addition to being therapeutic, his carvings became a creative outlet.
With no formal training, he carved animals, biblical figures, and mythical creatures, incorporating metal, fabric, and found objects in his artworks. Samuels’ sculptures are playful and imaginative figures created with eye-catching mixed media such as glitter paint and glass orbs for realistic eyes. Surfaces are intricately painted with patterns and shapes that add to the spectacle of these sculptures. While many see humor in his work, Samuels said his artwork was a serious matter. He drew on his experiences and personal vision of the world to provide each of his sculptures with a unique story. “I make things as real as possible,” he once said. “I make things with the help of the spirit.”
