Sid Boyum


Sidney "Sid" Edward Boyum was an industrial photographer, sculptor and graphic artist in Madison, Wisconsin, United States. Much of his work falls into the category of outsider art. Today, Boyum is best known for his public sculptures scattered throughout the Schenk-Atwood-Starkweather-Yahara Neighborhood on Madison's east side.
In addition to these publicly exhibited works, dozens of other totemic concrete sculptures still crowd the back yard of Boyum's former home and studio, now abandoned. Efforts are underway to preserve Boyum's home and art. Each year from 1963 to 1989, The Wisconsin State Journal commissioned Boyum to draw a different full-page, poster commemorating the opening of the Wisconsin fishing season. During his lifetime, Boyum also produced thousands of photographs, 16-millimeter films, drawings, paintings and bas-relief works.
Boyum was a close friend, collaborator and influence on other Wisconsin artists and collectors, including Baraboo's Tom Every, creator of the Forevertron and Alex Jordan, Jr creator of the House on the Rock.