Ashley’s House

An Artist's “Wonder Cabinet”

Ashley Bryan (1924-2022), artist and extraordinary children’s book illustrator, lived and worked on Little Cranberry Island in Maine. Winning many prizes, his books celebrate African American stories, heritage, and pride. His home is itself a work of art, a "wonder cabinet" crammed with both vernacular and exquisite objects from around the world. Ashley told me he wanted his house to bring joy to visitors—which indeed it does. It is a wake up call to join in the spirit of human creativity from around the world. My photographs move in close to some of his whimsical arrangements which create conversations across time and cultures. I was invited to photograph his home over the course of four day long visits in 2018 and 2019. His work is archived at the University of Pennsylvania, Colby College, Bates College, and is being celebrated at several New England area museums including the Farnsworth in Rockland Maine.

Ashley and Guests from Above Whatever Clock Shelf What Greets You Ashley at Work Papageno and the Black Cherubs Guardians from Two Worlds Kisses and Wishes Laurel and Hardy The Samurai and the Amused Boy Life’s Secret Cherubs Doll and Bat Man Langston Hughes and the intuits Louis Armstrong under a Star Michael Jackson Jazz Combo Meets African Gods Creche with graduate Bedoin Creche and Dancers Black Nativity with Wild Animals African Angel Chorister and Black Madonna Beseeching Child with Cross Three Kings and the Amish Man Two Santas Wax Cupids in a Box Woman in Red Three Clowns and China Dolls World Puppets Back Room Parent Child Puppets Timmy and Sammy Davis Jr.Portrait of Ashely Surrounded by Toys Tin Chickens Nesting Dolls Whatever Clock and Blackbird Shelves behind Couch Living Room Ashley and Musicians Ashley at the Door Flying Santa Ashley’s House from above Shelf of Many Creches Living Room Couch area Creche Shelf from above

Parrish Dobson

Fine Art Color and
Black and White Photography

Ashley’s House