Shane Campbell

VIEW ALL ARTWORK
Shane Campbell

Biography:

Born in Manchester, New Hampshire in 1964 while his father was stationed in the Air Force, Shane’s family moved to Tennessee before he was a year old, where he grew up and graduated from high school. Shortly thereafter, he married his high school sweetheart, Nancy and began managing a series of shoe stores.

After twenty-one years, the stress of managing several small businesses became too much, and he and his family moved home to Tennessee. Shane's father had been a nationally-known carver who passed away several years before their move home. Moreover, his father’s passion for collecting and selling antiques inspired Shane to do the same.

He began to sell antiques and carve once again to pass the time between customers. His wife returned to school and achieved her lifelong dream of becoming a nurse. Shortly thereafter, Shane took a leap of faith and became a full-time artist. He writes, "I guess I found what I was meant to do. My work is flavored with my love of Early American antiques and my life really. I write on many pieces about my life, hopes, dreams, rants as well as people I know. I have found a way of living my life through my art." But as he grew older, he became plagued by a type of severe arthritis called ankylosing-spondylosis. At one point, the illness prevented him from walking, but thanks to a new medication, he’s once again able to pursue his craft. Shane writes, "I keep a positive attitude and have learned the secret of life is enjoying the passing of time."

His iconic textual annotations that cover his sculptures began on an impulse. He writes, "I don't know why and I can't explain other than to say I am driven to do this art. I don't have any family left other than my wife and kids. For me, the art is my family. Every time I sell a piece it is really a little piece of me. I have times when I can't work due to my arthritis but when I can work, it is twenty-four seven. I love the blues and listen to the blues as I work. I have so much fun creating my art. My only fear is it will end too soon."

His work in the permanent collection of several museums, including the Milwaukee Museum of Art, the Mennello Folk Art Museum and the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum. It has also been featured in exhibitions at the American Visionary Museum.

Résumé:

The Mennello Folk Art Museum - Orlando, Fl.
Flatwater Folk Art Museum - Brownville, NE.
Mandalay Bay/ House of Blues Hotel - Las Vegas
House of Blues Hotel - Chicago
M"Angels And Other Aliens" @ The American Visionary Art Museum - Baltimore, MD.
Petaluma Art Center, Petaluma, Ca. " The Art of The Doll"

Shane is mentioned in the following books:

Self Taught, Outsider and Folk Art by Betty-Carol Sellen ISBN# 0-7864-0745-x
American Folk Art (a regional reference guide) ISBN# 0313349371 Pages 148, 149
Strange but True Tennessee by Lynne Hall ISBN# 13:9781581735109

 

Additional Information:

Born: 1964

Associated News

Associated Exhibitions

Outsider Art Fair 2016
A preview of what we're bringing to this year's Outsider Art Fair in New York
January 21 - January 24, 2016
More >