sockmonkeys

SOCK MONKEYS

This series of portraits is based on the collection of sock monkeys belonging to my studio neighbor and friend, Elaine Golak. They're a series in progress.

I knew very little about sock monkeys but as I began browsing on ebay for Elaine (she's had her first and only computer in its original packaging since the Millenium)... always sympathetic to a fellow collector. As a result, I discovered a whole subculture of wacky obsessive types that very much seemed familiar to me. Sock monkeys, unlike production-lined rubber duckys, are unique individuals with personality instilled by their creators - whether by chance, intention or lack of sewing skill.

I think they're funny while some say "scarey" and I suppose that combination of the two is the attraction for me. I do not collect them myself, I have enough collections as it is, though I've made a couple and find it to be adictive hard consuming work. Elaine's collection grows (thanks to ebay and friends) and so the series goes.

FEEDBACK: a visitor to my website from Australia emailed me after visiting my site:

"Took the opportunity to look at your website... I found the site really interesting , thought
provoking and enjoyed the tool series.
The sock monkeys are fantastic. I work as an Outreach Support Worker for
homeless, disabled and mental health patients. It was amazing how many of
the monkeys faces depicted homeless and mental health patients living with
psychosis, depression and schizophrenia etc that I have met, sadly
incorporating frightening and happy experiences in those faces.
Thanx for sharing the web site, I got a lot of enjoyment from it."

COLLECTING

Hunting is the great metaphor of collecting.
A collection is A life's witness.
Treasures & oddities: objects to be understood to commune with.
An extension of a culture or sub-culture.
Finding answers for unknown questions.

I'm interested in collecting and the act of collecting so I explore it through paint and often get caught up in the act myself. Cheap and sometimes overlooked objects interest me most as a process in which to figure them out as much as a way to understand their appeal to different audiences. These objects, as well as their art-object counterparts, reside in my studio area and are re-presented.

Some Sock Monkey history

Children and adults have enjoyed Sock Monkeys for over a 100 years. The original crafter who created this lasting icon is unknown, But the creativity behind this wonderful doll has brought joy to millions.
The Red Heel® socks where first manufactured in 1890 by The Nelson Knitting Mills in Rockford Illinois. John Nelson came to this country from Sweden in 1852 with the Swedish immigrants stepping off the train in Rockford. The first sock knitting machines were patented by him in 1869. Incorporated in 1880, The Nelson Knitting Co. was the first company world wide to manufacture socks. These sturdy and comfortable work-socks were worn mainly by farmers and factory workers.
In the 1900's mothers started crafting these socks into sock monkeys and other animals for their children. These quality sock were intended and used as work socks, but they became so much more when the Sock Monkey was born. In 1920 Nelson Knitting Mills started to include the directions for the Sock Monkeys with every pair of red Heel® Socks.
Nelson Knitting Mills was purchased by Fox River Mills in 1992 and now Fox River Mills continues the tradition and includes the original directions with every pair of Red Heel® Socks they manufacture.

Link: www.supersockmonkey.com : HOW TO MAKE A SOCK MONKEY