(Critters), (sculpture).

(Critters), (sculpture).

Harris, Julian Hoke, 1906-1987, sculptor.

(Critters), (sculpture).

Uncle Remus Critters, (sculpture).

Brer Bear, (sculpture).

Brer Fox, (sculpture).

Brer Rabbit and Tar Baby, (sculpture).

ca. 1958. Relocated ca. 1981. Relocated ca. 1990.

Sculptures: concrete; Foundations: concrete.

3 pieces. Bear: approx. H. 62 in. x W. 36 in. x Diam. 24 in.; Rabbit and Tar Baby: approx. 42 x 40 x 17 in.; Fox: approx. 45 x 32 x 18 in.

A group of characters from the Uncle Remus stories. Brer Bear stands in the center, holding a club at his side in his proper left hand. In his proper right hand, he holds a frog up to his face. In front of him, Brer Fox sits, his head tilted back with a big smile on his face. Brer Fox holds his stomach with his proper right hand; his proper left hand rest on his knee. Also in front of the bear are Brer Rabbit and Tar Baby. Tar Baby is wearing a brimmed hat far back off his head, large circles indicating his eyes and a round knob for his nose. Brer Rabbit's head is jutting toward Tar Baby, his ears back, and his proper left arm reaching forward and touching him. The rabbit's proper right arm is raised above his head. The sculptures are in cast concrete, with Brer Bear and Brer Fox each having their own foundations, and Brer Rabbit and Tar Baby sharing one.

Literature -- Harris -- Uncle Remus

Literature -- Character -- Brer Rabbit

Literature -- Character -- Brer Fox

Literature -- Character -- Brer Bear

Literature -- Character -- Tar Baby

Outdoor Sculpture -- Georgia -- Madison

Uncle Remus Regional Library System, Morgan County Branch, 1131 East Avenue, Front entrance, Madison, Georgia 30650

Formerly located Uncle Remus Regional Library, Laughing Place Garden, Madison, Georgia

Formerly located Lenox Square Mall, Atlanta, Georgia

The sculptures depict the famous characters of the Uncle Remus stories, written by Joel Chandler Harris, and are referred to as the "Critters." The figures were originally installed at Lenox Square Mall in Atlanta. They were installed as a single grouping, in a straight line atop a shared base. Each had a metal plate attached to the base giving the character's name. Around 1980, the Mall altered its lower level and the sculpture was relocated to Laughing Place Garden at the Uncle Remus Regional Library. Around 1990, the sculptures were relocated to their current site in front of the library. Children touch the sculptures. IAS files contain related articles from Southern Living (March 1987), pg. 1ga; from the Madisonian (Georgia), Feb. 12, 1987; and from Wren's Nest, the newsletter of the Joel Chandler Harris Association. The Wren's Nest article shows the sculptures in their original setting at the Lenox Square Mall.

Save Outdoor Sculpture, Georgia survey, 1994.

The Madisonian (Georgia), Feb. 12, 1987.

The information provided about this artwork was compiled as part of the Smithsonian American Art Museum's Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture database, designed to provide descriptive and location information on artworks by American artists in public and private collections worldwide.

Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture, Smithsonian American Art Museum, P.O. Box 37012, MRC 970, Washington, D.C. 20013-7012

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