-Thrify Tower- mechanical bank c. 20th century

This -Thrify Tower- mechanical bank, made of carved wood by an anonymous artist, is an intriguing example of folk art. I’m drawn to how this artist approached the wood. It’s clear they weren't trying to hide the tool marks, but instead reveled in the process of making. Look at the rough-hewn texture, and the way the gouges and cuts aren't sanded down or smoothed out. The artist has created a surface that is full of character, and almost sculptural in its physicality. Those zig-zagged edges, for instance – they're not perfect, but they're rhythmic and have a raw kind of energy. The tower suggests the art of whittling or wood carving, maybe even a bit of chip carving. It’s so clearly handmade. It feels personal, like a labor of love, and reminds me a little of Joseph Yoakum’s works, with the same sense of obsessive detail. This piece embraces its imperfections, and I think that’s what makes it so special.