Classroom with Three Figures

Lavern Kelley, Classroom with Three Figures, 1979, 1984-1987, white pine, plywood, brass, and plastic, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Herbert Waide Hemphill, Jr., 1989.92A-L
Copied Lavern Kelley, Classroom with Three Figures, 1979, 1984-1987, white pine, plywood, brass, and plastic, overall: 36 3830 1845 in. (92.476.5114.3 cm.) base: 25 1430 181 12 in. (64.276.63.8 cm.) A (teacher): 32 1210 7810 14 in. (82.627.726.1 cm.) B (boy): 24 125 583 38 in. (62.214.38.6 cm.) C (girl): 24 585 122 34 in. (62.614.07.0 cm.), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Herbert Waide Hemphill, Jr., 1989.92A-L

Artwork Details

Title
Classroom with Three Figures
Date
1979, 1984-1987
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
overall: 36 3830 1845 in. (92.476.5114.3 cm.) base: 25 1430 181 12 in. (64.276.63.8 cm.) A (teacher): 32 1210 7810 14 in. (82.627.726.1 cm.) B (boy): 24 125 583 38 in. (62.214.38.6 cm.) C (girl): 24 585 122 34 in. (62.614.07.0 cm.)
Credit Line
Gift of Herbert Waide Hemphill, Jr.
Mediums Description
white pine, plywood, brass, and plastic
Classifications
Keywords
  • Occupation — education — teacher
  • Figure group — female and child
  • Occupation — education — student
  • Object — furniture — desk
  • Object — written matter — book
Object Number
1989.92A-L

Artwork Description

Sharing the sentiment of cartoonist Bill Watterson that, "people who get nostalgic about childhood were obviously never children," Lavern Kelley's piece recalls the perceived captivity of the grade school experience.

"Whatever I do, I want it to be my own thoughts and methods, not somebody else’s."
—Lavern Kelley

Exhibition Label, Smithsonian American Art Museum, 2006