CAREW RICE Carew Rice was best known for his silhouettes of the South Carolina Lowcountry and of famous people of his day. Carew Rice was born at on a plantation near Bostic Pond about three and a half miles south of Allendale, South Carolina. He was educated at the University of Chattanooga where he took an art course as an elec-
tive. His professor commented that most people identify their friends by profiles, not the details of their hair color, height or complexion. Rice was so taken with the comment that he went into a dime store in downtown Chattanooga and bought a pair of scissors on a whim for a quarter. He went back to his boardinghouse that evening and began cutting his way into Southern history. Using sharp scissors and a keen eye, he created a bold style of silhouettes cutting previously unseen within his medium. Although Carew’s subjects varied widely, his depictions of the Deep South best defined his style. His hauntingly beautiful landscapes of southern life and lands are sought after by collectors worldwide. Through his refined technique and almost limitless range of subjects, Carew Rice claimed his place as America’s Modern Master of Silhouette Art. Cover Image: “Yours Truly”, 1952, 5 1/2 x 3 1/2, Framed, Signed $900)
“ A M E R I CA ’ S GR E AT E S T SILHOUET TIST” Lowcountry landscapes and figurative silhouettes were eagerly sought by Charleston society and collectors throughout the world. There was a time when no Lowcountry home was complete without framed silhouette portraits of children done by Carew Rice. Carew Rice traveled worldwide, sharing his mesmerizing cutouts with delighted customers. Carew Rice was described by poet Carl Sandberg as “America’s Greatest Silhouettist”. Rice was also a folk-singer and story-teller well known throughout South Carolina. With a trademark beret, that he picked up in Paris, and his pencil mustache, Carew Rice was a celebrated figure at festivals, state fairs, church bazaars and sidewalk art shows. Carew Rice died at Brick House plantation, near Wiggins, South Carolina in the home his father, James Henry Rice, Jr. had built in 1918. His grandson, Clay Rice, continues to create silhouettes.
Silhouette cutting takes its name from Eteinne De Silhouette, former French Minister of finance during the mid-eighteenth century. Hostility arose because of his austerity and excessive taxation which ultimately led to the French Revolution. The French people frequently dressed in black and described themselves “a la Silhouette, just shadows”.
Silhouette on Roper Hospital Form Charleston, South Carolina
Lowcountry Landscapes
Two Women with Hoes in Riverbank with Man in Background 6.5 “x 10” Signed
$2,500
Woman on Left and Man on Right Chopping Wood (Untitled) 6.5” x 8.5” Signed
$2500
LOWCOUNTRY WILDLIFE Left: Boy and His Best Friend
Fishing 5 “x 3 ” Initialed $900
bottom: Two Hunters, Two Dogs,
and Buck Walking To House (Untitled) 7” x 10” Signed
Two Deer Wading in Water in the Woods (Untitled) 6 “ x 6’’ Initialed $1000
Two Deer Stopping to Drink in Creek Under Trees 6.5”x 9.5’’ $1,500 left: Wading
Bird Taking Flight 7” x 5” $500 right: Wad-
ing Birds Taking Flight 7” x 5” $600
Birds on Branches with Leaves and Berry 10” x 6” $1,400
Marshside Ducks 7 “x 5” $550
Three Birds ‘In Forest Marsh Wading Under Tree (Untitled) 6 “x 4’’ $800
The Girl from Abilene 7 “x 11’’ Signed
$1500
RICE’S WORK CELEBRATES SCENES OF SOUTHERN LANDSCAPES, ROYALTY, ORDINARY FOLK, AND EVERDAY LIFE
“Basketball started out on the level but has become a low game with lots of high players in it!” 10 3/4” x 14”
ENGLISH SETTER
Signed
STERLING $950
$1700
Bikini Suit 11” x 14” Initialed $1500
Miss Vesta Jet Age 6, 1st Grade from drawing, Knoxville, TN 1934, 6” x 4” Signed $700
right: Man Wielding a Hoe
(Untitled) 5” x 3 .5’ $700
left: Dr. Hay 14” x 11” Initialed $1200
Two Men Beneath the Trees with a Woman Walking Towards Lamppost on the Right 6.5’” x 5’’ Signed $1400
Oil Goil 7” x 10 Signed $1500
Top: Four Winds North Winds
11” x 14 ‘’ Signed $1200 left: Man and Dog
with Chartered Corn 5 “x 3 .5” $800
Bar of Gold 5” x 3.5” Signed and Framed $600