By Wayne Andrews
In the small town of Tillatoba, Mississippi, where the echoes of history reverberate through the fields and pastures, Relious “Joe” Wrenn has been quietly crafting a legacy that blends art, labor, and a deep connection to the land. A folk artist, farm worker, and cowboy, Wrenn has spent decades capturing the essence of Mississippi life in his unique and deeply personal artwork.
Since the 1960s, Wrenn has been honing his craft, drawing inspiration from the world around him. His love for horses, the land, and the farms of Mississippi are recurring themes in his work, each piece a testament to the experiences and memories that have shaped his life. His art is more than just a visual representation; it celebrates the culture and traditions passed down through generations.
Wrenn’s work is distinct, not only for its subject matter but also for the way he presents it. He hand-makes his picture frames, carefully crafting each one to complement and often become an integral part of the artwork itself. Like his paintings, these frames are imbued with the spirit of the land—rough, sturdy, and beautiful in their simplicity. For Wrenn, the frame is not just a boundary; it’s an extension of the story his art tells.
The subjects of Wrenn’s paintings are often scenes from rural life—family memories of hard work, the pride of owning a new tractor, and the deep bond between a cowboy and his horse. Each piece reflects Wrenn’s deep respect for the land and the people who work it. His art captures the essence of Mississippi’s agricultural heritage, immortalizing the everyday moments that define life in the rural South. Wrenn says his paintings are memories from the stories his family shared and passed down. In talking about his work unlike other artists talking about their process he recalls the roads you drive to find the farms. Who owned the land, and who worked the land. He recalls being taught to shoe a horse by his grandfather or the tree that fell that he used to make the frame. One does not acquire a work of art from Joe Wrenn, one shares a memory with him.
Many painters captured the landscape of Mississippi or the boats on the river. Joe’s works are the people, trees, and farms. Crafted in the paint from the local hardware store on the back of wood remnants to repair a barn and framed in wire from the fence he mended or the bark of a tree that stood on the farm for the last 100 years. Hung on the wall it is more than a work of art, it is the work that occurs in Mississippi.
But Wrenn’s contributions go beyond his art. As a cowboy and farm worker, he has lived the life he depicts in his paintings. His understanding of the land and the labor it requires is not theoretical; it’s lived experience. This authenticity is what makes his work resonate so deeply with those who see it. Wrenn’s art is not just about capturing a moment in time; it’s about preserving a way of life that is both challenging and rewarding.
Relious “Joe” Wrenn’s work as a folk artist, cowboy, and farm worker is a reflection of his deep connection to Mississippi. His art serves as a bridge between the past and the present, offering a glimpse into the world of rural Mississippi that is both nostalgic and timeless. Through his paintings, Wrenn invites us to appreciate the beauty of hard work, the bond between man and land, and the rich cultural heritage that continues to shape the lives of those in the South.
Find Joe Wrenn
Website: https://joewrenn.com/
Social Media https://www.facebook.com/joe.wrenn.94
