Nellie Mae Rowe

Red sketchbook cover with off-white text that says Textures by Sunworthy Gilamn wallcoerings Inc. Atlanta Chatanooga.

Rowe’s use of a wallpaper sample book for her sketches exemplifies the improvisatory nature of her artistic practice. This image, perhaps showing Christ’s Resurrection, emphasizes the important role of faith in Rowe’s life. Several of the artists in this exhibition considered their art to be an expression of divine will. “God gave me a special talent,” Rowe often said.

Nellie Mae Rowe
American, 1900–1982
Untitled (Textures by Sunworthy), 1976
Crayon in wallpaper sample book
American Folk Art Museum, New York, gift of Chuck and Jan Rosenak, 1980.3.17
© 2021 Estate of Nellie Mae Rowe / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York
American Folk Art Museum / Art Resource, NY