Advertisement
The copies have included everything from Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy in overalls and apron to a Lysol ad and an American Heritage magazine cover in 2000, “Divorce — the American Gothic.”
It may seem impossible to keep track of all its re-creations since Iowa artist Grant Wood released the painting in 1930.
Don’t tell that to Carol Petrowski. The reference librarian at Onalaska Public Library will point you to a new book and her own American Gothic collection. Both are available at the library.
The book, “American Gothic: A Life of America’s Most Famous Painting,” chronicles the painting’s ascent into pop-culture ubiquity. The artifacts chronicle Petrowski’s growing obsession with re-creations of it.
“I’m so glad the book was published,” she said. “It gave me a great reason to bring all these things in.”
In her collection there are animals — wood-carved chickens, teddy bears, pigs, cows.
There are magazine covers — Mad’s “American Gaythic,” with an extra man and woman in the painting; Managed Care’s “Obesity,” with the ordinarily svelte couple looking plump.
There are movie covers — one featuring Pauly Shore’s “Son in Law,” another featuring “The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle.”
“Did you know there’s a Canadian Gothic, too?” Petrowski asked.
That’s one of the many insights she’s gained since starting her collection in 2000. Like any collection, it started small. A few artifacts. No big deal.
Then, in 2001, she discovered a personal connection: her brother’s father-in-law, William Bunn, now 95, is likely the last living student of Grant Wood. And her interest and the collection kept growing.
“We are going to run out of space soon,” she said, explaining the situation at her house, which she shares with her husband, Jim Bloedorn.
She said she’s gotten about half her collection off the online auction site e-bay. The other half she’s found at flea markets, collectors’ conventions and through tips from friends.
“It’s a terrible disease, this collecting stuff,” she said with a laugh. “I have people who think I’m crazy for doing it.”
Will she keep doing it?
“Oh heavens yes,” she replied, eagerly. “My husband’s glad I have a rather inexpensive hobby.”
Dan Simmons can be reached at (608) 791-8217 or dsimmons@lacrossetribune.com.
