The craziest art I ever did see. And yet it spoke to me. It’s provocative. And that’s just what Noah Purifoy seems to have in mind during his creations in the form of assemblage sculpture. Where Brecada’s large metal sculptures are a skill of welding, Purifoy’s art comes from the mind, and maybe sometimes the dump as he typically uses reclaimed materials. Interpretations are up to the viewer.
Carousel & Shipwrecked
After five days exploring and camping in Joshua Tree National Park I’d spent the night for free on BLM just north of the town of Joshua Tree. A Park Ranger gave me good directions to the BLM and also recommended Noah Purifoy’s nearby Outdoor Desert Art Museum of Assemblage Sculpture.
Born in Snow Hill, Alabama in 1917, Noah was a high school industrial arts teacher and social worker before becoming an artist. After serving in the South Pacific during WWII he moved to Los Angeles where he earned a degree in fine arts in 1956 and became the founder and first director of the Watts Towers Art Center in the 1960s. While serving on the California Arts Council he created the Artist-in-Communities, –Schools and –Prisons programs. In 1989, Noah moved to Joshua Tree, California where he filled ten acres with his sculptures until his death in 2004.
White/Colored
Noah is credited with re-defining black artistic consciousness through assemblage sculpture. Along with six other artists after the 1965 Watts Rebellion in Los Angeles he helped create 66 Signs of Neon, a traveling exhibition made from two tons of debris from the city.
Kirby Express
I wandered around for about an hour mesmerized by the pieces. But I can’t explain them so will just share the photos.
“I hope my work provides inspiration for a person to do today what they couldn’t do yesterday, no matter what it is. That’s art. That’s the fundamental creative process and it’s something that changes people and empowers them.” –Noah Purifoy
Everything & the kitchen sink
Noah’s work can be seen as a unique public art experience in the high desert as he deeded his estate to the Noah Purifoy Foundation for preservation, public visitation, and exhibition. The Outdoor Desert Art Museum of Assemblage Art is open to the public and free of charge. A self-guided tour brochure is available near the mailboxes upon entering and guided tours are available for groups with advance reservations by calling 213-382-7516. Donations are gladly accepted.
Quail seem to have taken up residency
How to get there. From Highway 62 in Joshua Tree, California north on Sunburst past the elementary school, right on Golden, left on Border, right on Aberdeen and left on Center. Most roads are gravel but doable in any vehicle. Thanks to Ranger Nick at Joshua Tree National Park for this interesting recommendation.
Now this is neat – I need to see it!
An unexpected find in the desert for sure.
Wow, just added something new to the bucket list. I figured out a long time ago that sometimes I have to just let art be and not try and figure out what it means.
That is true about art Yogi. I guess the analytic in me wants to figure it out. Guess I need to learn to appreciate art for art’s sake.
I can sure see why they would be hard to “explain”. But I’m not sure they need to be. What an experience to just be there and be among them. What a unique find Gaelyn. Thank you.
I actually felt just a little bit lost and definitely in awe wandering amongst these sculptures. There are way more of them than I posted photos of.
Fascinating sculptures. Will put that on our list for next time.
A very unusual place for sure.
Love Love Love!
Thanks Susie. You do like sculptures.
These are amazing sculptures, Gaelyn. Each one more interesting than the last but the one with the trouser legs takes the cake for me! Thanks for the tour. Jo
Really an amazing place. Would have been interesting to meet this creative mind.
Art is all in the mind of the beholder. Thanks for sharing Gaelyn. Not surprised to find this in the
Joshua Tree area.
I could spend more time with this display of art.
What a cool art collection! As many times as we’ve been past thus area I never knew it existed. This is definitely going on the “list”!
Nina
This was a great Ranger tip. I’ve been around there for decades and hadn’t heard of it either. Also check out the http://integratron.com/, although I haven’t been there in years.
Amazing! Thank you for sharing pics of this honest art!
You’re welcome. It is unique.
That is totally fascinating and a place I’d like to see. What a wonderful man and artist he was.
Truly fascinating. I’d like to spend more time with the art.
What a great ranger tip and unique sculpture exhibit. Your time at Joshua Tree sure had its rewards!
Rangers always know about the local and obscure places. I really enjoyed this whole winter and Joshua Tree was a real highlight. But Anza-Borrego was also great.
This is amazing and I can’t understand how we never learned about this. Thank you. Another reason to go again. Amazing. I have to come back and look some more at this post too.
Funny, many of us have traveled through this area and not heard of Purifoy’s art. Glad I was able to share it.