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USA
Midwest
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Republic, MO
Roadside Sculpture Park - Ralph Doss Lanning
1916-
Sculpture environment
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Information:
Spread across 8.5 acres of land, 87-year old Lanning has created a menagerie of animals and mythical creatures, including mermaids and two-headed dragons. The mythological is balanced with the religious: Christian symbolism is also important in his work. His sculptures include angels, a giant pair of praying hands, the crucifixion of Christ, together with a miniature church.
From Detour Art:
It’s quickly apparent that the person most entertained by the Lanning Sculpture Park is Ralph Lanning. He is as humble as he is quick with a laugh as he shows visitors around his 8.5-acre concrete and stone sculpture garden, regaling them with stories. The garden is filled with mythical creatures, such as mermaids, gryphons, a two-headed dinosaur named Mik and Ike, and a nude Lady Godiva atop a horse (although Ralph claims she is wearing a body suit and tights). There is religious symbology and a touching tribute to a young man going to war. The inscription on the giant concrete heart reads: "If Heaven is half as beautiful as here on Earth, I don’t want to miss it." Ralph may not consider himself an artist, but this gentle man’s garden speaks otherwise.
"Raw Vision Magazine" #44, Fall 2003
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Bibliography:
"Detour Art—Outsider, Folk Art, and Visionary Folk Art Environments Coast to Coast, Art and Photographs from the Collection of Kelly Ludwig" by Kelly Ludwig, Kansas City Star Books, 2007.
"Rare Visions & Roadside Revelations" (the book), by Randy Mason, Michael Murphy and Don Mayberger, Kansas City Star Publishing, 2002.
On DVD - Rare Visions and Roadside Revelations, "Miles and Miles o' Mo-Tex-Arkana", KCPT, Kansas City Public Television, 1996-2001.
"Rare Visions and Roadside Revelations Coast to Coast Travel-o-Pedia" by Randy Mason, et. al., Kansas City Star Books, 2009. |
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