Lee Steen

Last updated
Lee Speck Steen
Born(1897-12-12)December 12, 1897
Kentucky, USA
Died(1975-11-29)November 29, 1975
Montana, USA
NationalityAmerican
Known forsculpture

Lee Steen (1897-1975) was an American sculptor. Using cottonwood tree branches and other found objects, he, along with his twin brother Dee Steen, created an elaborate visionary environment at their home in Roundup, Montana. [1]

Contents

Life

Steen was born in Kentucky in 1897, but moved with his family to Montana when only a year old. As a younger man, he worked in Washington state for a railroad, and for the Works Progress Administration before returning to Roundup, where both he and Dee settled down. Steen intermittently found employment as a cook, [2] but largely existed "on the edges of society." [3]

Using wood sourced from the cottonwood trees growing along the Musselshell River, Steen created a large number of "tree people," [4] humanoid figures given additional features with found objects including coffee cans, bottlecaps, and beer tabs. [5] Some of these sculptures were sold to tourists and passers-by; others were placed around his property. Steen's yard was further filled with discarded junk, tamed wild animals, and artworks made by Dee out of metal and automobile parts. [6] [7]

Dee Steen died in 1966, [8] and the environment the brothers had built began to fall into disrepair. [9] [10] Lee Steen left the property in 1972, spending his final years in a nursing home. [11]

John A. Armstrong, of the Yellowstone Art Center, and Jim Todd, of the University of Montana, took an interest in Steen's work, and organized an exhibition thereof in 1973. Armstrong arranged for the preservation of some of Steen's work, and removed some pieces of it to Arizona. [12] Many of the remaining pieces were given to the Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art in Great Falls, Montana; a new wing of the museum was constructed in 1996 to house the sculptures. [13]

Steen was buried in the United Mine Workers of America Cemetery in Roundup. [14]

Work

The Paris Gibson Square Museum describes Steen's work as "possess[ing] a magical quality that defies precise definition." [15]

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References

  1. ↑ Sellen, Betty-Carol (2016). Self-Taught, Outsider and Folk Art: A Guide to American Artists, Locations and Resources, Third Edition. McFarland & Company. ISBN   9780786475858.
  2. ↑ "Lee Steen" (PDF). Spaces: Saving + Preserving Arts + Cultural Environments. Retrieved 14 January 2021.
  3. ↑ Sellen, Betty-Carol (2016). Self-Taught, Outsider and Folk Art: A Guide to American Artists, Locations and Resources, Third Edition. McFarland & Company. ISBN   9780786475858.
  4. ↑ "Lee Steen" (PDF). Spaces: Saving + Preserving Arts + Cultural Environments. Retrieved 14 January 2021.
  5. ↑ Webb, Jaci (24 April 2009). "Weekly Webb: Is Steen art due for a roundup?". Billings Gazette. Retrieved 14 January 2021.
  6. ↑ "Lee Steen" (PDF). Spaces: Saving + Preserving Arts + Cultural Environments. Retrieved 14 January 2021.
  7. ↑ Sellen, Betty-Carol (2016). Self-Taught, Outsider and Folk Art: A Guide to American Artists, Locations and Resources, Third Edition. McFarland & Company. ISBN   9780786475858.
  8. ↑ "Dee Steen". FindAGrave.com. Retrieved 14 January 2021.
  9. ↑ "Lee Steen" (PDF). Spaces: Saving + Preserving Arts + Cultural Environments. Retrieved 14 January 2021.
  10. ↑ Sellen, Betty-Carol (2016). Self-Taught, Outsider and Folk Art: A Guide to American Artists, Locations and Resources, Third Edition. McFarland & Company. ISBN   9780786475858.
  11. ↑ "Lee Steen's Tree People". Roadside America. Retrieved 14 January 2021.
  12. ↑ "Lee Steen" (PDF). Spaces: Saving + Preserving Arts + Cultural Environments. Retrieved 14 January 2021.
  13. ↑ Webb, Jaci (24 April 2009). "Weekly Webb: Is Steen art due for a roundup?". Billings Gazette. Retrieved 14 January 2021.
  14. ↑ "Lee Steen". FindAGrave.com. Retrieved 14 January 2021.
  15. ↑ "Ongoing Exhibitions". Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art. Retrieved 14 January 2021.
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