Object Record
Images
Metadata
Catalog Number |
2023.012.008 |
Object Name |
Painting |
Description |
This folk art painting features the story of Liston Pack, a man who was arrested for serpent handling. The narrative text of the painting reads: "History and Historical Folk-Lore Folk-Art Painting Liston Pack jail for his religion Mark 16:15-20 handling serpents and jail in the Cocke County court house." This painting is relatively unique in that the Reverend only created a handful of paintings on smoothed, arched wood. The vast majority of the Reverend's paintings were painted on rough, rectangular wood and framed. Instead, this painting is one of the of the few boards that is clearly smoothed and arched. The central image of the painting features a smiling man holding a serpent above his head. The serpent's body is in a curved position that echoes the curve of the wooden board. The man has short, black hair and is wearing a white, long-sleeved shirt. Only his head and torso are visible. The serpent that he holds is a yellow rattlesnake with dark brown markings. The rattle/tailend is on the left, while the serpent's head is on the right. The narrative text is painted in white to the left of the man. There are also four gray-brown trees on the lefthand side. A cabin church with a steeple cross is positioned to the right of the man. "Holiness Church of God in Jesus Name" is painted in black above the church door. "Swann U Pack 1975" is painted in white on the roof of the church. The background of the painting is split by the body of the rattlesnake. Above the rattlesnake's body a clear blue sky is visible, while everything painted under the rattlesnake is backed by a dark green landscape. While many of Reverend Morrow's artworks detail spiritual visions and Biblical scenes, the Reverend was also known to paint images inspired by folklore that was passed down and shared in the oral tradition. Many of the Reverend's paintings, whether religious or historical in nature, take place in Cocke County, Tennessee in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, as he took a particular interest in the experiences remembered in this historical place. Reverend Morrow spent much of his life interested in the histories of Cocke County, Tennessee and was a lifetime resident of the area. Special thanks to William Arrowood for researching this painting as part of his coursework in Dr. Michael Fowler's Spring 2025 Art and Appalachia Course. His research sources can be provided upon request. As part of his description analysis, William writes: "This object is a painting on wood panel. The painted depictions in this work are simple and broken down into their more basic forms. The composition is flat with little regard to perspective and proportioning. The colors for the main subjects and background are even in value cross the entire picture plane without shading or lightening to depict space or scale. Morrow's chosen medium appears to be acrylic or latex based paint. There are easily discernible brush strokes and slight tonal variation that appear to come from mixing of colors either on a palette or on the painting surface. The painting is a matte finish apart from a slight sheen in the central male figure and the white in the depicted church. The painting depicts a masculine central figure, from what appears to be the waist up, with arms raised above his clasping a snake with both hands. The figure is depicted wearing a white robe or shirt, has blue eyes, dark brown hair, and is painted over a green field. The snake is yellow with a brown chevron pattern down the length of its back, and a brown rattle with white highlights on the tail. The snake acts as the horizon line, marking the separation of the field with the blue representing the sky. Both the central figure and the snake have been outlined with a relief carved edge. The edge was then painted over potentially serving as a guide to paint by. To the viewer's left of the central figure, there are trees or shrubbery painted green and brown. The shades of green and brown used in the foliage are the only indication of an atmosphere and potential shading in this work." Liston Pack is a well-known figure in serpent handling communities, particularly because of his involvement in the Swann v. Pack case that reached the Supreme Court of Tennessee in 1975. The Archives of Appalachia is home to three collections that document Liston Pack and his practices, including the Thomas G. Burton and Thomas F. Headley Tapes, the Thomas G. Burton Collection, and the Mike DuBose Photographs. |
Date |
September 24, 2021 |
Artist |
Rev. Jimmy Morrow |
Dimensions |
H-15.75 W-20.25 D-0.625 inches |
Collection |
Sacred and/or Religious Artifacts Collection |
Place of Origin |
USA/Tennessee/Cocke County/Del Rio |
Material |
acrylic paints on veneer wood panel |
Subjects |
sacred Appalachia folk art religion serpent-handling Signs Followers Liston Pack religious freedom |
Search Terms |
sacred Appalachia folk art religion serpent-handling Signs Followers Liston Pack religious freedom |