A fantastic, quite whimsical, engaging Mid-century Modern abstract owl/bird sculpture/belt buckle by New York artist Albert Leon Wilson.
Wilson was born in 1920 in Jamaica, New York. In the mid-1950s he relocated to Rochester, New York, where he worked until 1967 as an art director, illustrator, and photographer, winning over 20 graphic art awards from the Rochester Society of Communicating Artists. Afterward, he found his calling working with welded and bent metals and designing abstract sculptures often featuring figures and animals. He passed away in 1999.
This unique and rather heavy piece is signed and dated (1968) with Wilson's traditional imprint/stamp.
Wilson's work has been exhibited at the York State Craft Fair, Ithaca College, NY; Northeast Craft Fair, Am. Craftmen's Council, Mount Snow, VT, 1967; Finger Lakes Exhib., 1971, Univ. Rochester Mem. Art Gallery; New American Sculpture, U.S. Info Agency touring exhibit to Europe, Asia & Africa, 1971-72. Awards: over twenty graphic art awards, Rochester Soc. Communicating Artists, 1957-67.
Wilson has had several one-man exhibitions at Rolly-Michaux's Galleries in New York and Boston; Bodley Gallery, New York City; and Lillian Kornbluth Gallery, New Jersey; among others. His work is included among prominent collectors such as the Nelson A. Rockefeller's Roberson Art Center Collection; the University of Rochester Memorial Art Gallery; and the United States Embassy Collection in Washington, D.C.
Other particular pieces can be found in the following collections: Men & Minotaurs (sculpture & print), Roberson AC, Binghampton, NY; Our Man on the Moon (sculpture), Strassenburg Planetarium, Rochester, NY; Busted Bike, Roy Neuberger Collection to NY State Mus., Albany; also in the collection of Gov. Nelson A. Rockefeller. Commissions: Phoenix, Allendale School, Rochester, 1968; baptismal font, Faith Lutheran Church, Webster, NY, 1969; main altar, Faith Lutheran Church, Webster, 1969; Eagle, Munic. Bldg. Courtroom, Fulton, NY, 1970; Comet (busted bike), Kaufman Bldg, NYC, 1972
Would be a great addition to any collectors of Wilson's work or Mid-Century sculpture or an eye-catching stand-alone work whether displayed or worn.
Dimensions: 4.5" high, 3.25" wide, 2" deep