Joe Legge is well known in Dillard, Ga. and throughout the folk art world. His
journey through various mediums was a life long adventure, and he mastered many.
Born in Decatur, IL on May 17, 1943, he was creative from the beginning. His
formal education ended when he put a skunk in the desk of the school principal,
but his passion for expanding his knowledge and building his craft continued his
entire life. Many successful artists began their tutelage under Joe, and anyone
who was willing to learn was nurtured free of charge, and his unselfish giving
of himself is legendary.
As a teenager Joe won awards for innovative window dressing in downtown Chicago
at Macy’s. Joe was already on the cutting edge of creativity being the first
to pinstripe cars in the 1950’s. Any surface and any object were looked at as
art through Joe’s eyes.
Joe was personally trained in cosmetology by Vidal Sassoon. He became Vidal’s
main stylist from 1962 until he was drafted into the Army. Later, in the
1970’s Joe had several salons in the Buckhead area of Atlanta. He was asked to
come to Beverly Hills and work with Vidal in his salons. Joe declined to be a
stylist to the stars to continue on his own unique life journey.
When drafted in 1968 he went to Vietnam as a Radio Transistor Operator with the
173rd Airborne Company. He extended his tour to ensure the incoming radio
operator was well trained for that dangerous position. Joe noted that he
returned from Vietnam with hemorrhoids and two Purple Hearts for extraordinary
service in the line of fire. That statement shows Joe’s unique view on the
world; the pleasure and the pain.
Following his tour in Vietnam, several unfortunate events led him to Valdosta,
GA where his gifts in carving were recognized by the Governor. He hand carved
many of the State Seals that are on courthouses around Georgia, as well as the
enormous Viking Statue that was carved out of a centuries old Live Oak tree for
Lowndes High School in Valdosta. He donated many pieces of art to the State of
Georgia over the years. He danced with James Brown at the local bowling alley,
loved women, Alfa Romeos and the lifestyle of a true Bohemian.
In the early 1970’s Joe relocated to Atlanta and worked on many fine
architectural pieces that are still part of Atlanta’s heritage. Along with
noted woodcarver Lincoln Stone as his assistant, Joe built the magnificent 2500
sq. foot staircase that is now part of the Jesuit Retreat & Conference
Center on the Chattahoochee in Roswell, GA.
In 1977 Joe won the Peanut Butter Sculpture World Title and created the first
character phones – prototype phones shaped like footballs and Mohammad Ali.
Joe was not only a master sculptor but also a master at the medium called Found
or Outdoor Art. What looked like a dumpster of trash to another was like candy
for a child to Joe. Other artists have noted Joe’s ability to – what looked
like randomly – pull items out of a pile of trash, and on the spot create a
work of art that was unique, beautiful and amazing in its complexity. His work
has been featured in numerous articles and galleries around the country.
Joe traveled between Illinois, Georgia and Florida between the 1970’s and
1990’s. He was commissioned to create many pieces for a variety of collectors
and events. At one point he was the only independent carver for Walt Disney,
with hundreds – possibly thousands – taking home his hand carved expression
of the happiest place on earth.
Joe was invited to be part of Folk Art Shows around the country, often with his
son Eric, a gifted artist in his own right. He was a prolific artist in
virtually any medium. Everyone wanted to be around Joe and his creations. There
was always laughter, stories and instant community everywhere he traveled.
In the early 1990’s Joe was commissioned to carve the Georgia Room at Chateau
Elan, just north of Atlanta. Chateau Elan reports that the Georgia room is the
most popular and most requested room due to the beauty and craftsmanship.
Joe, and his son Eric, moved to Rabun County in 1996. They lived in a school
bus on the Coleman River for 8 months before settling into Wolffork Valley. In
2000 they opened the 3 Legge Art Gallery on 441 in Dillard in the old filling
station across from Rabun County Bank. The third Legge is Joe’s oldest son,
Terry – a talented artist with his own vision and expression in the art world.
Joe the man and Joe the artist was so intertwined that his own life was an
example of living art. Perhaps Found and perhaps Outdoors at times, but art
nonetheless. The unique piece of art called Joe Legge came to a sudden end on
January 9, 2009. A heart attack took him quickly. A fellow brother from Vietnam,
Buddy, was on hand when Joe collapsed and it was Buddy who called 911. The EMS
team arrived within 4 minutes and air lifted Joe to the hospital. He died in the
air. A bit of irony considering how much time he spent in helicopters in
Vietnam. Everyone involved did everything they could to keep Joe with us, but he
had different plans. It was time to go. And he did.
He leaves behind a world that is less colorful with less laughter. There were
so many chapters to the Life of Joe Legge. This complex artist and genuine human
being leaves a gap in the fabric of all our lives, and especially those who
survive him. These include his mother, Corrinea Avenel Moore, his sons Terry
Legge and Eric Legge, his sister Trina Rutland,a brother James Moore, and Sharon
Martin, mother of Terry and Eric. He also leaves behind his furry family; Luke,
Goldie, Noodles, Sheba and Lady.
His gentle demeanor and sweet spirit helped open many eyes and touch many
hearts. Those who found Joe, found art that made the world a better place.
The Celebration of Life for Joe Legge will be on Saturday, January 17 at the
Unity Center in Dillard. Celebration begins at 4pm followed by a wake at the 3
Legge Gallery on Hwy. 441.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be sent to the Joe Legge Legacy Fund. Contact Eric Legge eleggenehi@yahoo.com
Joe Legge Legacy Fund
C/O Eric Legge
P.O. Box 57
Dillard, Ga 30537 |
