Any Questions?

William King, Any Questions?, 1985, vinyl sewn over metal armature, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Sara Roby Foundation, 1985.82.2
Copied William King, Any Questions?, 1985, vinyl sewn over metal armature, 91 3⁄8 x 52 1⁄2 x 21 1⁄8 in. (232.2 x 133.4 x 53.6 cm.), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Sara Roby Foundation, 1985.82.2

Artwork Details

Title
Any Questions?
Artist
Date
1985
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
91 3⁄8 x 52 1⁄2 x 21 1⁄8 in. (232.2 x 133.4 x 53.6 cm.)
Credit Line
Gift of the Sara Roby Foundation
Mediums
Mediums Description
vinyl sewn over metal armature
Classifications
Keywords
  • Fantasy
  • Figure male — full length
Object Number
1985.82.2
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1985.82.2

Artwork Description

William King's Any Questions? is both humorous and disturbing. This nearly eight-foot-tall duck dressed in a business suit stands confidently with his hands on his hips as he ominously smiles down at those who would dare ask him a question. The sculpture satirizes the American business community for falsely encouraging a level of communication between employees and their superiors. King suggests that bosses, like this one, encourage subordinates to offer their opinions, only to ignore them. He dressed the bare metal armature in shiny white vinyl to show that the boss is nothing more than an "empty suit."

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