Airplane Whirligig

Vollis, who lived outside of Wilson, North Carolina, never called himself an artist, but, after days working at moving houses and repairing machinery, he would spend his extra time constructing fantastical whirligigs from spare parts and erecting them in his yard. Referencing weather vanes but also popular culture and local signage, his enormous windmills became a popular attraction, drawing many visitors to the crossroads outside his workshop, and eventually the attention of international art collections. Many of his creations can now be seen at the Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park in downtown Wilson, which is dedicated to the work of restoring and preserving these vibrant, colorful and dynamic pieces for the community and future generations of visitors.

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