Juan 111784

Juan Hamilton, Juan 11-17-84, 1984, bronze, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of KPMG Peat Marwick, 1993.54.5
Copied Juan Hamilton, Juan 11-17-84, 1984, bronze, 16 1219 in. (41.948.3 cm) diam., Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of KPMG Peat Marwick, 1993.54.5

Artwork Details

Title
Juan 111784
Date
1984
Dimensions
16 1219 in. (41.948.3 cm) diam.
Credit Line
Gift of KPMG Peat Marwick
Mediums
Mediums Description
bronze
Classifications
Object Number
1993.54.5

Artwork Description

Juan Hamilton’s Juan 11-17-84 is from a series of works that suggest organisms, vessels, and landscapes all at once. These dark bronzes have been compared to the black-glazed pottery of New Mexico’s pueblos, to the “meditation rocks” of Zen gardens, and to the idols of Easter Island. Hamilton’s pieces are built from a metal armature that the artist bends into a shape that pleases him. The armature is then overlaid with fiberglass before being sent to the foundry for bronze casting. The final step involves applying several layers of black lacquer before the piece is wet-sanded (Rose, Juan Hamilton, 1987).