ADDRESS: 121 West, Jackson Street, Paulding, Ohio, 45879
ARTIST: Charles Umlauf
TITLE: Industry
MEDIUM: Wood (relief)
STATUS: The Paulding post office is still an active, operating facility, and the relief can be viewed by interested members of the public. It resides in the lobby on the wall above the postmaster’s door.
YEAR: 1940
Thanksgiving 2015 was spent with my wife’s side of the family. This involved driving out to Ohio. Since I like to make the most of my long distance trips I selected Paulding, Ohio as one of our stops on the way home. Honestly, it was just on my list of buildings to visit. I had no idea it had a wood caring let along a very large wood carving.
I was completely surprise and I guess that is another reason I took 75 pictures during this visit.
I only know of a few large wood carvings. Greenville, Tennessee and now Paulding, Ohio. I have to say this adds a very nice variety to our collection of artwork.
There are several reason I like the carvings. First I don’t think they need to be refinished or restored like a mural. Murals tend to fade and become discolored over time. Where as a wood carving tends to just age slowly. If that makes any sense.
What do you know about large wood carvings? Do you like this one? What can you tell use about it? Please comment and share below.
David W. Gates Jr.
Sources
- Personal visit on 11/28/2015 by David W. Gates Jr.
- United States Postal Service
- (affiliate link) Democratic Vistas: Post Offices and Public Art in the New Deal
: [Hardcover] Marlene Park, Gerald E. Markowitz
This woodcut mural is fascinating. I wonder what the reaction was when it was unveiled. Thanks for including so many detailed photos.
What struck me was how large this work is. I also wonder how much it weighs.
At some future date I hope to research it more.
Thanks for the comment. Have a great day.
David