James "Son Ford" Thomas (American/Mississippi, 1926-1993), "Elmore James 1902-1955", metal, pigment and gumbo clay, initialed on side, titled on top and side, h. 2 in., w. 4 1/2 in., d. 7 1/2 in. Note: James “Son Ford” Thomas used “gumbo clay” that he foraged from various locations in the Mississippi Delta to shape the intriguing figures that make up his unique body of work. Taught how to “open and close” graves by his one-handed stepfather, Thomas made a living as a grave digger, which exposed him to the macabre culture of the funeral business. This inspiration paired with local superstitions about spooks and ghosts were incorporated into his sculptures which often featured skulls with corn or human teeth and figures in coffins such as the lot on offer here that depicts blues guitarist, Elmore James. Ref.: “James ‘Son Ford’ Thomas.” Souls Grown Deep. www.soulsgrowndeep.org. Accessed Feb. 15, 2024.

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