Michael Melle of Plainfield, MA, is an artist and sculptor. You can check out his website at http://www.scarecrowgarden.com/ His life sized "human" figures, made from hay and string, are nothing short of amazing. They look so real one would think they are going to strike up a conversation. Upon closer inspection, however, one sees they are made from hay and are faceless. They are truly one-of-a-kind.
Currently, 10 of his hay people are displayed on the lawns of the Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute in Williamstown, MA. They are being shown in conjunction with a huge exhibition of paintings titled "Pissarro's People."
Camille Pissarro, (1830-1903), was a French impressionist who was born on the Caribbean Island of St. Thomas, while it was under Dutch rule. He was known for his landscapes, but also painted rural workers such as apple pickers and men and women doing agricultural work. He always depicted them with dignity.
Mike Melle looked through Pissarro's paintings and picked out the ones he wanted his sculptures to depict. Then he got to work and made the "hay people" for the Clark. Melle, in a sense, brought some of Pissarro's paintings to life!
Here's one of the Clark:
Shown in this post are some photographs of the Mike Melle's hay figures for your enjoyment.
HAVE YOU SEEN PROFESSIONAL SCULPTURES MADE FROM HAY?
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