The Sandmans Garden

This documentary examines the life and art of Lonnie Holley a selftaught AfricanAmerican 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 Arts 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 artists 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