Wes Freed, a graphic artist best known for his Drive-By Truckers work, has died at the age of 58. In January, Freed, an outdoor artist, was diagnosed with colorectal cancer. The Drive-By Truckers team announced earlier this year that Freed is being treated for cancer. Following the discovery, a GoFundMe effort was launched to help with his medical expenses. Exotic art is defined as art created by self-taught artists who have little or no interaction with the traditions of the art world.
Drive-By Truckers’ Patterson Hood posted on social media:
“I know that the news has been spread. I’ll upload something as soon as I can. I’m too depressed right now to say anything.”
The musician and Virginia native died on September 4, nine months after being diagnosed with cancer.
I know the word was out. I’ll post something when I can. I’m too sad to say anything now. Fall in love, MF’s.
– Truck drivers (@drivebytruckers) September 4, 2022
Wes Freed is also a musician.
Freed grew up in the Shenandoah Valley and attended Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond to study painting.
“I guess I always wanted to be an artist in New York when I was in high school.” And then I went to Richmond and thought, ‘I don’t know, Richmond looks big enough.’ Then I went to New York, and people said, ‘Yes, Richmond is definitely big enough.'”
In a 2011 interview, Freed said that through his work, he tries to convince himself that the place where he was in his childhood exists somewhere, perhaps in a metaphysical sense. The musician is also an artist from Richmond, Virginia. Wes Freed has performed with many local bands, including the Shiners, Dirt Ball and Mud helmet. In 2019, Freed released The Art of Wes Freed: Paints, Posters, Pin-Ups, and Possums, a coffee table book featuring many of his works. The book includes a selection of his artwork as well as covers for Drive By Truckers and other bands such as Cracker and artist Lauren Hoffman.
When asked in a 2010 interview if he prefers sketching or music, Freed replied:
“I’d say I started drawing before I started playing, but I don’t think the two can be separated in my head.”
In 1997, Freed met Drive-By Truckers for the first time.
In 2019, Freed told No Depression that he came across Drive-By Truckers in 1997 at the annual Bubbapalooza music event. They became friends and shared a room with Freedom and his then-wife Jyl Freed. Soon after, he was offered to participate in the LP Southern Rock Opera duet. Lilia Hood, sister of Patterson Hood, also worked with Wes Freedom to complete the packaging of the record.
Hood said in an interview:
“She promised early on that she would stay true to his work and not change it, thus earning his trust.” We’ve been working with him ever since.”
He originally collaborated with Drive-By Truckers on the cover of their third album, 2001’s Southern Rock Opera. A Red-Eyed Owl Hovering Over a Burning Field appeared on the band’s 2001 double LP. He also creates posters, t-shirts, wallpapers, and other merchandise for the band. Freed also designed the Cooley Bird mascot for the band, which has become aesthetically recognizable with the band and guitarist Mike Cooley.
Freed has produced seven albums for Drive-By Truckers. He also collaborated with the band on their 2020 album The New OK and their latest album, Welcome To Club XIII, was released in June.
Categories: Entertaintment
Source: vcmp.edu.vn