Lonnie Holley

Ethan Payne’s documentary captures the rapport between musician Lonnie Holley and the late producer/musician Richard Swift, two men separated by decades in age, but united in spirit. Spanning two recording sessions, this half-hour chronicle shows the making of Holley's National Freedom EP.

Lonnie Holley, a "self-taught African American artist" and dimensional traveler, attempts to sneak off the slave ship America.

Lonnie Holley, a "self-taught African American artist" and dimensional traveler, attempts to sneak off the slave ship America.

Lonnie Holley, a "self-taught African American artist" and dimensional traveler, attempts to sneak off the slave ship America.

Lonnie Holley, a "self-taught African American artist" and dimensional traveler, attempts to sneak off the slave ship America.

A film documenting the soulful art, environments, and voices of self-taught artists on the back roads of the American South.

This documentary examines the life and art of Lonnie Holley, a self-taught African-American artist based in Birmingham, Alabama. It follows Holley as he builds a sculptural environment out of discarded materials and found objects in the Birmingham Museum of Art’s sculpture garden. His art is by turns profound, playful, and deeply moving. As the garden grows piece by piece, Holley is revealed as a man who has overcome a tortured past. Growing up poor and black in the 20th century American South, Holley worked to overcome prejudice and deprivation by using art to explore his life and ideas. The camera captures the artist’s process and reflections as he gathers materials, creates pieces, interacts with others, and relives the joys and sorrows that forged his unique and genuine artwork.