-Turkey c. 1905 - 1912

This diminutive 'Turkey', standing in the Minneapolis Institute of Art, was formed by the A.C. Williams Company. I'm imagining someone at the foundry carefully pouring the molten metal into the mold, the clanging of tools, the heat of the furnace… I can almost feel the weight of the cast iron in my hands. Then, I see the hand of the artist, adding the details of the feathers with a sure touch. It feels so good to make a mark! There's something both playful and serious about this little sculpture, this very solid, earth-toned bird. I mean, it's essentially a caricature, right? But it’s also got its own kind of presence, its own kind of dignity. When I look at the tail feathers, fanned out in a semi-circle, I think about the enduring appeal of animal forms and their resonance throughout art history. It’s like A.C. Williams are saying ‘Hey, let’s give this turkey a starring role!’