Helen LaFrance: Folk Art Memories
July 1 to August 12, 2012

A collection of 29 paintings by self-taught artist Helen LaFrance opens on July 1 in the museum’s Changing Galleries. The exhibition, Helen LaFrance: Folk Art Memories, is a synthesis of her personal history, folk traditions and spiritual visions.

LaFrance is a renowned Southern folk artist who has been painting since she was five years old. Born in Graves County, Kentucky, her works reflect images from memories of rural farm-life. She received no formal art instruction and never attended high school. LaFrance practices a type of folk art called, “Memory Painting,” in which the artist records her autobiography in beautiful visual images.

For many years, LaFrance has painted memories of a lifestyle that is rapidly disappearing. Her paintings portray scenes of Southern farm images, such as farmers plowing in the field, church picnics, cotton fields, and river baptisms.

A biography of LaFrance is featured in a book with the same title as the exhibit, “Helen LaFrance: Folk Art Memories,” written by Kathy Moses with Bruce Shelton. Her paintings have been purchased by such celebrity collectors as Oprah Winfrey and Bryant Gumbel. Her work is also in the permanent collection of the Kentucky Folk Art Center and The Owensboro Museum of Fine Art.

Of her art, LaFrance says with modesty: “I just do what I do. I thought if I kept doing it, one day I’d do something worthwhile.” 

The exhibition traces the prolific and profound journey of this noted Southern folk artist. There is no admission charge to visit the exhibit, which will be on view through August 12.  

Above: Farm yard, oil on canvas, nda. Courtesy of Bruce Shelton

For more imformation contact Mary Skinner at mary.skinner@tn.gov