The Mystery Of Lowell Grant
Written by Joe D on April 23rd, 2010A guy named David Becken wrote to me, seeking information on Lowell Grant. Lowell was a sculptor who lived around the block from me until his kiln exploded killing him and burning down his house. I think this occurred back in the 70’s. His house was never re-built and the foundation is still there covered with graffiti, it was used as a location on the Echo Park film Mi Vida Loca. Lowell also did sculptures for a movie starring Vincent Price called Diary Of A Madman. Here’s a link to my earlier piece about Lowell.If anyone has any information they’d like to share please write in, I’ve had one person ask about getting a sculpture repaired and if Lowell had any children that were now sculptors but alas I don’t know. Here are some images that Mr. Becken sent to me of Lowell’s work.
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I knew Lowell Grant in early 50’s when he did sculptures for copywrights for Bob Clampett’s Time for Beany tv show. He was very talented and extremely charming.
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I knew Lowell Grant in the early 50’s when he did sculptures for copywrights for Bob Clampett’s Time for Beany tv show. He was very talented and extremely charming.
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I remember Beany and Cecil. Lowell got around.
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I have a Grant sculptor of me and my brother and sister. If I remember correctly…I was only 3…he had a “booth” at the Farmer’s Market in Los Angeles at the time.
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Thanks for writing in, can you send a photo of the sculpture?
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I was just wondering, how much is a Lowell Grant sculpture worth. I have one of a family i would say a mom, dad and a son not very large mounted on a wood plaque. Just curious. I respect the time and creativity that went into this piece just would like to know if it is worth anything. Thank you in advance for your time.
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I really have no idea. If I find any info I’ll post it.
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My father saw Mr. Grant’s work at
Farmer’s Market and decided to have our family sculpture done (father, mother and four children).
It was a unique experience to participate as a subject. I still remember the conversation and being on exhibit as he worked.
That was in about 1963. The work hung in my parents home over the mantlepiece until they passed away. I now have the piece,it brings back some many memories to see that work each day.
I always wondered what happened to Mr. Grant but couldn’t remember his first name. His name suddenly came back to me today and that’s when I looked for information on the internet.
Thank you.
Judith Cathey
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You’re welcome. One of these days I will drive around Los Angeles and photograph some of the Public Art Lowell created, a neighbor told me of several pieces scattered around the city.
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I remember Lowell Grant and especially remember his beautiful home. He was a friend of my father, also a sculptor. They may have gone to Otis together. I know he worked at Farmers Market doing quick sculptures of people and also did a lot of large architectural pieces for churches. I don’t think he ever married or had any children. I remember he had a girlfriend named Lila who may have been a contralto singer in opera???? We used to visit his studio/home and my Dad & Lowell debated ART over many glasses of Pernod. Most of all, I remember his beautiful home. There was a small gate at the right of the house that took you down the side of the building to this treasure of a home. I know that the studio was on the top level and below was the living quarters. The floors were large irregular pieces of slate. I really have no picture memory of the place other than the feel of being in a secluded mid century modern artist’s retreat. I’ve tried to replicate that feeling in every home I’ve lived in since then.
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Nancy
Thanks for writing in, it sounds like a great house, all that’s left are some cement slabs but they are situated in a beautiful dell.
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I worked with Lowell in the late 1950s when he was at the L.A. Farmers Mkt soliciting commissions for family and individual clay portraits. He did one of me to use as a sample of his work. I still have it 50+ years later. I also have his sculpture of a female Native American, painted black, which should really be cast in bronze. I live in Denver CO. This is the first I have heard about him, and his demise, in all these years.
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Stan
If you send some photos of Lowell’s work I’ll put them up, as you can see people interested in him and his work visit here.
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Hey Joe, me again! I just found this page for the first time, while looking to see if a google search of Lowell Grant yielded more information than it did several years ago! The picture I sent you of Ruby’s head popped up, and here I am. Great to see the page and the comments from others who know about Mr. Grant’s amazing work. It would be great if everyone would send you photos of what they have. I saw someone ask about the value of his work. That would be an interesting topic to explore. I have never found any results for him at auction, and I myself would like to collect more of his work. Anyway, glad to discover that you were able to use the material I sent. At least Mr. Grant is now represented on the internet, as he should be!
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Here is a link to some photos of his work which are posted on the Smithsonian website: http://collections.si.edu/search/results.htm?q=Grant+Lowell&start=0
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Amazing! All these works at the Smithsonian. Thanks David, let’s keep adding to Lowell’s internet presence.
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How can I send photos of the Lowell sculpture I have?
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Take some digital photos, put them on your computer, attach them to your email and send them to me.
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Hi all. I bought maybe ten sculptures (busts) of Lowell Grant and four of his friend Ed Roller. I also have pottery done by a female friend of Lowell’s, her name was Dollie. She acquired the items after Lowell’s passing. I also have a number of photos of his works. Perhaps one day I will put the photos to a website or blog as a tribute and record of his work. I bought all of these items from the niece of Dollie when she lived in Arroyo Grande, CA. I’ve previously sold one sculpture of Grant’s work and one of Rollers work. I’m in the process of selling many of my things as I need to reduce. I have brass tags for each work and letter of provenance. I could send photos to anyone who has interest. Email to trader805@gmail.com
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If you’d like to show them here and offer them for sale you can. Plus I’d like to see them.
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I need to find the photos I have and retrieve the sculptures from my storage. I found one bunch of documents with several photos, but I think I have another box of just photos of his work. Will update as time permits.. Thanks
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RW, I may be interested in purchasing some of your items, depending on the subject matter. Please do get pictures to Joe for this site!
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I bought a Lowell Grant piece today at my local Goodwill. I had no idea who he was or who the people are? It has two heads mounted on a woodboard. Lowells name is signed on the side going up.On the back is the name “Yusum”
Its two separete busts…one of a man and the other a women. I can send pictures.What the email address?
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Bob
you can send it to :jodaug@mac.com
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What a great Goodwill find Bob, but sad that this man’s art is so under-appreciated. That name on it will be the only clue you may have to finding out who your subjects are. Maybe going to Goodwill to see if anyone remembers who donated them would produce good results. He did many works, and they started at $20.00 a bust, so there should be a lot of them out there. Once they get away from the original family, there is little chance of identifying the subjects, I imagine.
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I KNEW LOWELL GRANT AND HIS GIRLFRIEND DOLLY PERUSIA VERY WELL… THEY WERE BOTH GREAT FRIENDS OF MY PARENTS AND WE HAD A LOT OF HIS SCULPTURES IN OUR HOUSE. THERE WAS A BUDDHA HEAD, A BUST OF MY MOTHER, AND HE ALSO MOLDED ALL OF THE HEADS OF MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS (SIX IN ALL) AND MY MOTHER AND FATHER TOO. HE WAS STATIONED AT WEPPLO’S BOOKSTORE IN THE FARMERS MARKET. HARRY WEPPLO WAS ALSO A GREAT FRIEND OF MY FAMILY… MY FATHER MARSHALL WILKINSON WAS AN ARCHITECT IN L.A. AND HE DESIGNED A DUPLEX APARTMENT FOR HARRY WEPPLO AND HIS PAL ORVILLE IN SILVERLAKE. ED ROLLER PAINTED EGYPTIAN MOTIF MURALS INSIDE WEPPLO’S APARTMENT. I REMEMBER GOING TO LOWELL GRANTS HOUSE IN SILVERLAKE… BUT I DON’T REMEMBER IT BEING PARTICULARLY BEAUTIFUL OR INSPIRATIONAL. I REMEMBER WHEN HIS KILN EXPLODED AND HE WAS KILLED. HE WAS WELL KNOWN BY MY PARENTS AND THEIR FREINDS AND AT THE TIME THERE WAS CONSIDERABLE SADNESS AFTER HIS DEATH. LOWELL GRANT WAS THE SCULPTOR WHO CREATED THE ORIGINAL BOBS BIG BOY FIGURE THAT STANDS OUTSIDE THE RESTAURANTS… I ALSO THINK HE DID WORK AT FOREST LAWN NEAR GRIFFITH PARK. I THINK IT’S GREAT THAT THERE IS RENEWED INTEREST IN LOWELL AND HIS WORK… SINCERELY, HUTTON WILKINSON
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Hutton
Thanks for all the great information on Lowell, Bob’s Big Boy! That is amazing. I will post about that!
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I also have a sculpture signed Lowell Grant up the right side. On the back is written the name Huffman. It is a lady’s head on wood and it looks to be painted. Would any of you know Mrs. or Miss. Huffman? I will email a couple of pictures to you Joe.
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I don’t know Ms. Huffman, Lowell made sculptures for a lot of people at his stand at the L.A. Farmer’s Market. Please send pictures, that would be great.
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Years ago my Uncle would travel with work. He loved the Farmers Market in L.A. He came home and talked about an artist he met. Few months later he presented my Mom a 3 dimensional sculpture of me. He gave Mr. Grant my kindergarten school pic. It was given to me years ago when we built our house. I have it on display and treasure it. This piece is meant for a shelf, it stands up. I would guess it was done in 1962. I will send you a picture of my treasure.