| Published June 2007 AN UPDATE ON AN
OLD FRIEND BY J. Michael
Johnson Art is meant to inspire and this Wooden Indian is based on a 1937 Chief model and has been an inspiration to many. This wooden sculpture is the work of James Evans of Iva, South Carolina. James is an artist, craftsman and creative genius who, not so strangely, thinks differently from mainstream artists and sculptors. James believes art is a communion of a man's spirit and soul brought forth into physical substance; his wooden 1937 Indian Chief is an example of that art. After spending three years creating this motorcycle sculpture in a 9 x 20 room, James finished the Wooden Indian in September 2001. Easyriders published a story on the rare wooden sculpture in our May 2002 issue. Afterwards, the Wooden Indian traveled to many museums and art shows in the Carolinas, Georgia and Alabama. The sculpture has been awarded many trophies and prizes at regional art shows including a first place blue ribbon and cash prize from Moving Sculptures 2004, part of the Art of the Motorcycle World show in Spartanburg, South Carolina. This moto masterpiece was once again in Easyriders, shown in our May 2005 issue coverage of that event. After the show, James became acquainted with the Friends of the Whitten Center in Gaffney, South Carolina, and showed his work there. The sculpture placed a Best of Show award at the Gaffney Bike Rally. Then the Indian made camp with the Vietnam Vets MC of Sanford, North Carolina-a great bunch of guys. At the Rat's Hole's "Big Daddy Rat Memorial" Bike and Auto Show in Boone, North Carolina, the sculpture bended fenders with a different kind of crowd which was great. The Wooden Indian speared two trophies: the Rat Class and Best of Show. Billy Senesac and Rock Doc went with James to the September 2005 Myrtle Beach Bike Week. All had a super good time. You could say that this piece makes friends wherever it goes. James also did a hometown show with Dennis Harris at his Classic Cycle Shop in Chesnee, South Carolina. Looking at the wooden wonder, Dennis remarked, "Photos give you an idea of how powerful this masterpiece is, but you really have to see the Wooden Indian in person to experience the fine workmanship that went into building it." If you would like to see the Wooden Indian in person, you'll find it proudly on display at The Spartanburg Museum of Art, Spartanburg, South Carolina. |