In the south there is a saying. When someone dies at a ripe old age after a long life well lived, it is called Sunset in the Evening. When someone leaves loved ones way too soon…that untimely death is called Sunset in the Morning, because it’s just not supposed to happen.
Artist, blacksmith, and very much loved Aaron Howard passed away earlier this week. If you follow the old southern saying…the sun had not yet reached noon.
Howard will not be forgotten. He was a prolific artist and his work will continue to live in small and large spaces across the country. For example, his installations at the Madison Children’s Museum will delight young and old folks for many years to come.
In this archival episode of Radio Chipstone, contributor Gianofer (JON nah fer) Fields found Howard in his happy place, surrounded by fire and iron. She pays homage to a dear friend and sends love and condolences to the Howard Family.
About the Host
Gianofer (JON nah fer) Fields is an Art Historian and Material Culture contributor and curates the Radio Chipstone series. She is also the host of Refrangible, available on Spotify, Stitcher, iTunes or wherever else you get your podcasts. The project is hosted by the School of Human Ecology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and funded by the Chipstone Foundation; a decorative arts foundation whose mission is preserving and interpreting their collection, as well as stimulating research and education in the decorative arts.