Mary Nohl: Inside & Outside by Barbara Manger

by Janine Smith

Outsider artist, sophisticated naïf, and witch are all labels that have described Mary Nohl (1914–2001), creator of a magical and mysterious site on the shore of Lake Michigan near Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Here she constructed huge concrete heads, stone-encrusted creatures, and imposing driftwood figures to fill the yard surrounding a modest cottage where she spent most of her life. Carved heads hang from the eaves, wind chimes tinkle in the trees, and pebbles at her doorstep spell “Boo.” The cottage is painted and embellished inside and out with wooden fish, boats, animals, and leaping figures. Wire, hemp, chicken bones, egg shells, aluminum pans, broken glass—almost any castoff materials available—were used by Nohl to create her art and ornament her surroundings. Mary Inside & Outside offers the first comprehensive look into the unusual life of a remarkable artist whose surroundings stand as a monument to her creative personality. Establishing Nohl as a notable “outsider” artist, Barbara Manger and Janine Smith offer an inside look at an artist whose idiosyncratic art—pieces whose allure is only heightened by the intrigue and legends surrounding their creator—attracted generations of visitors who peered through the fence at Nohl’s wildly decorated yard but rarely caught a glimpse of the elusive artist. “This sensitive, meticulously researched book sheds needed light on the life and work of an underappreciated visionary. It should advance the cause of preserving Mary Nohl’s fragile work in all of its fevered complexity.”—Whitney Gould, former architecture critic and urban landscape writer, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, Biography

Paperback

First published March 22, 2009

Reviews

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is delightful. It's a biography of an eccentric woman, and an accomplished artist: Mary Nohl of Milwaukee. My daughter took me to peer through the fence at the other-worldly house and yard Mary Nohl decorated with fantastic, lively adornments and statues. The author provides photographs of the inside and outside of Mary Nohl's house, her ceramics, silver jewelry, paintings, and more. And the biography of this peculiar but extremely gifted woman with her very unusual, almost mythic visions that are reflected in her art is delightful. At present, the property, which was willed to the Kohler Foundation, is off limits to the public. This book is a real gift for those who are interested in Ms. Nohl's life and art.

[Miz Lizzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this up on a recent visit to the John Michael Kohler Art Preserve in Kohler, Wisconsin largely for the rare photographs of the interiors of Mary Nohl's house. I enjoyed her vibrant use of color and ways of incorporating art throughout the house. Her more well-known yard art doesn't appeal to me quite as much as I have never loved concrete as a medium. The biography was interesting. An reclusive and eccentric artist who had the privilege of spending her life making art without ever actually having to make money at it. Her use of found materials and devotion to constantly creating are certainly inspiring, if maybe a little over the top.

[L · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book about an unusual Wisconsin artist. What a life!

[Mathew]

Dang. Mary Nohl was a North Shore Nancy.

[E Walburg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mary Nohl has always been a vague, shadowy figure growing up. My parents took me up to her house on one or two occasions after a trip to the Art Museum, but the brief moments of looking at her house were so subtle that sometimes I wondered if I had just dreamt up the whole thing. However, they were also powerful enough that I kept thinking about her and her house all of these years.

This biography is a wonderful look into the life Mary had, along with beautiful, high-quality pictures. Most of the book comes straight from Mary herself, who kept extensive records and diaries her entire life. Although she came across as fairly lonely and emotionally-inhibited, her limitless creativity and boundless self-confidence in her work was incredibly inspiring. She really did tread her own path, and live life with full force. While incredibly privileged--coming from a wealthy background and having training at the Art Institute of Chicago under the direction of some great artists--she never let this go to her head. Status was never a concern for her. Her life was truly about art and creating.

She is, like my memories of my first visits to her house, a subtle but powerful figure in Wisconsin's history. Her audacity for art in the face of complacent, manicured neighbors is admirable. This book is a great and educational piece about a shining gem buried in the sand.

[Gwyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though we haven't yet had the chance to drive by this site, I wanted to read about the artist before such time we do. The text gives a pretty straightforward biography of Ms. Nohl, her life and her art. One of the authors came to know her and was able to provide her own insights, as well as doing interviews with others who knew her. The real treat is the abundant photos that allow a closer look at not only the house and its grounds, but the interior and other items from her enormous body of work. When we finally do get to see the house for ourselves, we have insight into the work and most likely, a far better look than a slow driveby could ever allow.

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've always admired outsider artists and Mary Nohl certainly was among that group. I knew nothing about this artist until I saw a goodreads giveaway for a picture book about Mary Nohl. The picture book was pretty so-so but did get me interested in the artist Mary Nohl. I really loved this biography! It was full of illustrations from the author's life, her amazing painting, pottery, sculpture and house. Can't wait to visit her amazing home when it's again open to the public.

[Peggy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent story of the artist and her extreme behaviors that made he intriguing to all who encountered her. Mary lived for art and her frugality drove her to create with whatever she had. Very misunderstood, she lived her life as she wanted and not to the beat of conformity. Very good read.

[Rosemary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked it. It moved me to tears. Mary Nohl was an interesting person and I admire the life she created for herself. Barbara Manger (author) really wrote a vivid, caring bio. I hope I get to see Nohl's art environment.

[Mayra · Rating 5 out of 5]

An exceptional and beautiful biography of Mary Nohl, a greatly misunderstood artist from Wisconsin.