As I write this, there's a big ol' stockpot on my stove, slowly simmering the carcass of yesterday's turkey into stock that will fuel some of Claire's amazing soups this winter. Other people have found more novel uses for a used up turkey. Today's Wall Street Journal took a break from chronicling the country's financial meltdown to explore some of the best contemporary and historical turkey bone sculptures.
One of the artists they covered was Eugene von Bruenchenhein, an outsider artist who lived and worked in Milwaukee. I got to see some of von Bruenchenhein's work this summer at the Kohler museum in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, including the turkey throne above.
Museums and galleries didn't begin buying Mr. von Bruenchenhein's work until after his death in 1983. These days, the thrones are estimated to be worth up to $10,000 each, and the towers -- if you can find one -- as much as $70,000, according to Carl Hammer, a Chicago gallery owner that has sold some of the pieces.
Other artists in the article include a woman who makes turkey leg angels and a high school teacher who anxiously awaits Thanksgiving every year so she can ply her trade. Lest you think that you can just put your leftovers out to dry, the article gives you some great tips about boiling and drying the bones without accumulating mold and other unwanted goo. I'm sticking with soup.
