Behind the walls of an unassuming Southern California hacienda, outsider artist William Graber created upwards of 1,000 sculptures in near obscurity over the course of five decades. Now, all of his works are on display for the first time, showcased at a sale in Graber’s studio and in his old-growth cactus garden from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday December 7-8, at 1059 E. 8th St., Upland, CA 91786.

Graber crafted sculpture, assemblage, and 2D pieces by combining an array of materials in heavy pours of resin and paint. His collection includes architectural outdoor works reminiscent of Calder and Miró along with wildly multi-colored tabletop abstract pieces, each categorized and detailed in an elaborate codex that he recently self-published.

A self-taught artist, Graber’s body of work first entered into public knowledge when he sold his Upland property to a local businessman. Touring the property for the first time, the buyer was surprised by the eclectic nature and size of the collection. Following Graber’s advice, he reached out to Juan Thorp, a high desert artist and gallery owner.

“Graber just made what he wanted, he is a true artist. He never sought to show or sell the work,” Thorp said.

The collection has since attracted the attention of collectors and museums at a private viewing, including the Chaffey Community Museum of Art, Claremont Lewis Museum of Art, and the Maloof Foundation. With hundreds of pieces left to home, several other gallery shows and art sales are planned for the coming months.

Works by heretofore unknown ‘outsider’ artist William Graber will be on view and for sale this Saturday and Sunday December at his studio and old-growth cactus garden in Upland. Photo/courtesy of Juan Thorp

Thorp said Graber’s work will be on view at Space Truckin Gallery in Twentynine Palms in January and at Chaffey Community Museum of Art in February.

For his part, Graber has chosen to lay low, much like he did while creating his sculptures. He and his wife recently packed what they could fit into a pickup truck and departed for the mountains of Montana, entrusting his life’s work to the new owner and Thorp.

“I met Bill back in 2005 or so,” Thorp said. “He came to an art walk in Pomona and purchased art from myself and friends — he was a regular and loved collecting art. But he never talked about his own work, nor did he mention ever exhibiting it

“We artists do weird things. Bill made so much art, cataloged it, kept it nice and clean like he was getting ready for a massive show. But the show never happened. Now we are making it happen.”

The William Graber art sale takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday December 7-8, at 1059 E. 8th St., Upland, CA 91786. Refreshments and music will be provided.

More info is available via email to nomenculture@yahoo.com.