Loy Bowlin Education Resources
Loy Bowlin was born in Franklin County, Mississippi, and lived under conditions of poverty for much of his life. He struggled with depression after his divorce in the 1950s, and sought comfort through his Christian faith. In 1975, inspired by Glen Campbell’s hit record, “Rhinestone Cowboy,” Bowlin began to adopt a new persona to lift his spirits. First, he covered his clothes entirely with sequins. Next, he embellished a 1967 Cadillac. Finally, he transformed his entire home into what became known as the the Beautiful Holy Jewel Home.
Bowlin covered every inch of the interior with patterns of cutout paper, paint, glitter, and collaged photographs and magazine illustrations. After Bowlin’s death in 1995, Houston artist and collector Katy Emde was able to purchase the home as long as she removed the house from the property. Emde documented and dismantled the house. In 1998, Kohler Foundation, Inc., acquired the house components and worked for four years on preservation. The foundation gifted the home, along with many of Bowlin’s hats, suits, and furniture pieces, to the John Michael Kohler Arts Center.
