Obsession

Copied Ronna Neuenschwander, Obsession, 1998, painted and sawdust-fired earthenware with terra sigillata, cut and formed tin, and teeth, 16 121513 12 in. (41.938.134.3 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase through the Howard Kottler Endowment for Ceramic Art, 1998.136

Artwork Details

Title
Obsession
Date
1998
Dimensions
16 121513 12 in. (41.938.134.3 cm)
Credit Line
Museum purchase through the Howard Kottler Endowment for Ceramic Art
Mediums Description
painted and sawdust-fired earthenware with terra sigillata, cut and formed tin, and teeth
Classifications
Keywords
  • African American
  • Figure male — full length
  • State of being — illness — insanity
Object Number
1998.136

Artwork Description

Ronna Neuenschwander’s sculptures of the human figure tell the stories of the people of Mali. In Obsession, a man is biting into his wrist while stretching away from his other hand, which is withered and small. This obvious reference to hunger contrasts with the garish collage of food labels that make up the figure’s outfit. In this way, the artist calls attention to the abundance that Westerners take for granted.