Willie Jinks I Found You

February 22, 2013

There is a artist from Atlanta that has inspired me. His name is Willie Jinks. I do not know where he is now or much about him. He made a lot of these paintings in the 80s and 90s. All I really know about him is that he made some paintings that are really great– simple and folky and wonderfully odd.

I went to the Tabernacle this week. It is a old church turned into a concert venue in downtown Atlanta. They have a lot of folk art in there. The times I had been before it was too dark and crowded to notice. This visit was in the day so I coud see clearly. I had just talked last week about how I would love to see and find some Willie Jinks paintings. I was very surprised to find this collection.  Previously, I only had ever seen his work online. I took these pictures of some of the ones the Tabernacle has currently displayed.

Jinks’ faces and odd shaped figures are impressive to me– kind of scary and kind of funny. Some folks would say they are simple or too primitive but I find them fascinating. They are true folk art. Thanks Mr. Willie for making my mind work in new ways.

If anyone knows much about Willie Jinks please contact me through me website. I would love to find out more.

– kyle