Dr. Boles1984–198533 1/2 x 34 1/2 " (85.1 x 87.6 cm)House paint on sheet steelGift of Gordon W. Bailey in honor of Jean-Michel Basquiat 2025.15.20medium should likely be updated for consistency: Paint on galvanized steel1671179337Sam DoylePaintingsCopyright for this work is under review.upper center: 'Hi. BLOOD / Dr. BOLES'http://nodes.emuseum.com/BU1BGBAG/apis/emuseum/network/v1/vocabularies/termMaster27226http://nodes.emuseum.com/BU1BGBAG/apis/emuseum/network/v1/vocabularies/termMaster12320http://nodes.emuseum.com/BU1BGBAG/apis/emuseum/network/v1/vocabularies/termMaster10341Frogmore, St. Helena IslandFrogmore, St. Helena IslandUnited StatesSouth CarolinaPaintingsRecent AcquisitionsAdam ReichFrogmore, St. Helena IslandIn Gullah culture, root doctors—notably Boles, Buz, Crow, Eagle, and Hawk in Sam Doyle’s repertoire—practiced an organic form of medicine, in tune with both the physical and spiritual realms. Much of their curative power was derived from nature, in particular the roots of plants. “According to Gullah lore, Lowcountry root doctor Dr. Boles could relieve hapless victims of high blood pressure by sucking it out of their forehead.” (Gordon W. Bailey, acquisition package to the American Folk Art Museum, 2025.) It is exemplified in this composition, with the overflowing cup and the doctor’s red lips.
This stark depiction, on a cast-off piece of galvanized sheet steel (only a few works that Doyle created on this surface), is in superb original condition. The painting was prominently featured in Doyle’s St. Helena’s outdoor environment.Object information is a work in progress and may be updated
with new research. Records are reviewed and revised, and the American Folk Art
Museum welcomes additional information.
To help improve this record, please email photoservices@folkartmuseum.orgreviewed by Art Bridges Fellow Austin Losada for the IMLS Neurodiversity Project 2026multiple entries changed by Valerie Rousseau to conform to donor's wishes http://nodes.emuseum.com/BU1BGBAG/apis/emuseum/network/v1/vocabularies/termMaster27226http://nodes.emuseum.com/BU1BGBAG/apis/emuseum/network/v1/vocabularies/termMaster12320http://nodes.emuseum.com/BU1BGBAG/apis/emuseum/network/v1/vocabularies/termMaster10341http://nodes.emuseum.com/BU1BGBAG/apis/emuseum/network/v1/vocabularies/termMaster27226http://nodes.emuseum.com/BU1BGBAG/apis/emuseum/network/v1/vocabularies/termMaster12320http://nodes.emuseum.com/BU1BGBAG/apis/emuseum/network/v1/vocabularies/termMaster10341http://nodes.emuseum.com/BU1BGBAG/apis/emuseum/network/v1/vocabularies/termMaster27226http://nodes.emuseum.com/BU1BGBAG/apis/emuseum/network/v1/vocabularies/termMaster12320http://nodes.emuseum.com/BU1BGBAG/apis/emuseum/network/v1/vocabularies/termMaster1034119841985 2025 15 2 In Gullah culture, root doctors—notably Boles, Buz, Crow, Eagle, and Hawk in Sam Doyle’s repertoire—practiced an organic form of medicine, in tune with both the physical and spiritual realms. Much of their curative power was derived from nature, in particular the roots of plants. “According to Gullah lore, Lowcountry root doctor Dr. Boles could relieve hapless victims of high blood pressure by sucking it out of their forehead.” (Gordon W. Bailey, acquisition package to the American Folk Art Museum, 2025.) It is exemplified in this composition, with the overflowing cup and the doctor’s red lips.
This stark depiction, on a cast-off piece of galvanized sheet steel (only a few works that Doyle created on this surface), is in superb original condition. The painting was prominently featured in Doyle’s St. Helena’s outdoor environment.Object information is a work in progress and may be updated
with new research. Records are reviewed and revised, and the American Folk Art
Museum welcomes additional information.
To help improve this record, please email photoservices@folkartmuseum.orgreviewed by Art Bridges Fellow Austin Losada for the IMLS Neurodiversity Project 2026multiple entries changed by Valerie Rousseau to conform to donor's wishes