Al Carbee
Al Carbee | |
---|---|
Born | |
Died | October 3, 2005 | (aged 91)
Nationality | American |
Known for | Collage, photography, diorama, writing, portraiture |
Movement | Outsider art, folk art |
Spouse | Edna Carbee |
Albert Nickerson Carbee (February 10, 1914 – October 3, 2005) was a reclusive artist from
Carbee is the subject of the documentary film Magical Universe (2014) by filmmaker Jeremy Workman.
Life
Al Carbee was born in
In 1997, after Carbee's wife Edna died, Carbee's art was discovered by Biddeford-Saco-OOB Courier reporter, Aaron Smith.[5][6] Soon after, Smith introduced Carbee to filmmaker Jeremy Workman. The two became deep friends and Workman created a 5-minute short documentary on Carbee called Carbee's Barbies.[7] The short film was passed around Saco, and eventually led Carbee to be invited to exhibit his artwork in a one-person retrospective at the local Saco Museum.[8] Carbee's Saco Museum show stands as the only public exhibition of Carbee's artwork during his lifetime. "If anyone knows Barbie, it is Carbee" noted the Bangor Daily News in its coverage of the then 89-year old's debut show at the Saco Museum.[9]
Art
The art of Al Carbee blends multiple genres, including portraiture, photography, collage, diorama, automatic writing, and even the art of collecting. Much of his work, especially his photography, features Barbie dolls uniquely dressed inhabiting various otherworldly environments and living in a magical realm, which he called "Epicuma".[10] After Carbee died, his house was seized by the bank and most of the artwork in his house was destroyed.[11]
Despite the destruction of his home, many of his collages and artwork have survived. Since his death, several art venues and museums have now showcased and examined his body of work.[12]
In the summer of 2016, Al Carbee's artwork was featured as part of the Musee Des Decoratifs Arts major exhibit on Barbie. Carbee's collage work was featured in a section of the exhibit which included artists inspired by Barbie.[13]
Magical Universe
Al Carbee has been the subject of two documentary films by filmmaker Jeremy Workman: a five-minute short film entitled Carbee's Barbies and the feature-length documentary Magical Universe (2014), which was released by IFC Films in October 2014.[14] The first time Jeremy Workman met Carbee, he filmed his home and artwork, which led to the creation of the short film Carbee's Barbies. Carbee's Barbies was shown in some small regional film festivals.[15]
After the release of Carbee's Barbies, Carbee began corresponding with the filmmaker through long type-written letters and rambling video letters. This went on for several years, which led to Carbee's story evolving into the feature-length documentary called Magical Universe.[16]
After winning numerous film festival awards and citations,[17] Magical Universe subsequently was acquired by IFC Films and released theatrically throughout the United States on October 31, 2014.[18] It has garnered wide acclaim and created new interest for the art work of Al Carbee.[19][20]
References
- ^ Photos of Carbee
- ^ The Portland Phoenix 11-29-2002
- ^ "Review: 'Magical Universe' enters one man's world of Barbies". Los Angeles Times. 7 November 2014. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
- ^ Bangor Daily News Dec 6, 2002.
- ^ Aaron Smith article for Biddeford-Saco-OOB Courier 11-12-2002
- ^ Portland Press Herald obituary
- ^ "Magical Universe: The Art of Al Carbee". DOCNYC. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
- ^ "The Other Side of American Exceptionalism". HuffPost. 2014-07-21. Retrieved 2023-04-18.
- ^ Al Carbee's Exhibition at Saco Museum Bangor Daily Retrieved on 2013-12-12.
- ^ "Magical Universe". Magical Universe.
- ^ "'Magical universe' behind closed doors: Film tells the strange tale of Maine artist Al Carbee". Bangor Daily News. 11 November 2014. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
- ^ "Al Carbee's Art of Dolls and Yearning: "Oh, for a real, live Barbie!"". 2014-05-10. Retrieved 2016-09-10.
- ^ "Barbie". www.lesartsdecoratifs.fr. Retrieved 2016-09-10.
- ^ "Al Carbee on IMDB".
- ^ "Carbee's Barbies on IMDB".
- ^ "Jeremy Workman Talks About Finding His 'Magical Universe' In Maine".
- ^ "Awards Magical Universe". IMDB.
- ^ "Magical Universe at IFC Films".
- ^ "Al Carbee's Art of Dolls and Yearning: "Oh, for a real, live Barbie!"". 2014-05-10. Retrieved 2016-09-10.
- ^ "Jeremy Workman Talks About Finding His 'Magical Universe' In Maine".
External links
- Magical Universe on IMDB
- "Al Carbee’s Art of Dolls and Yearning: 'Oh, for a real, live Barbie!'" by Edward Gómez, Hyperallergic
- "Jeremy Workman Talks About Finding His Magical Universe In Maine" by Tribeca Film
- Magical Universe website