“West Virginia Tin Man”: The Life and Art of Robert Villamagna

Abstract: This is the story of tragedy and triumph. The one constant thing Robert Villamagna recognized in his life was that making art was as essential to him as needing to drink water, and if he loved art that much then he should pursue an art career. At every part of his life obstacles delayed him in pursuing his artistic goals, but he ultimately triumphed, creating compelling assemblage art works and earning the nickname the “West Virginia Tin Man.” His work is a mirror revealing a culture found throughout eastern Ohio and the northern panhandle of West Virginia, but his work speaks to a larger population of 1960’s blue-collar American culture.