Cephlapod 5

David Gilhooly, Cephlapod 5, 1971, white earthenware and glazes, 4 1⁄4 x 4 1⁄4 x 6 3⁄4 in. (10.8 x 10.8 x 17.1 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. David K. Anderson, Martha Jackson Memorial Collection, 1980.137.30

Artwork Details

Title
Cephlapod 5
Artist
Date
1971
Location
Dimensions
4 1⁄4 x 4 1⁄4 x 6 3⁄4 in. (10.8 x 10.8 x 17.1 cm)
Credit Line
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. David K. Anderson, Martha Jackson Memorial Collection
Mediums
Mediums Description
white earthenware and glazes
Classifications
Subjects
  • Animal — fish
Object Number
1980.137.30
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1980.137.30

Artwork Description

Cephlapod 5 shows David Gilhooly's interest in the sea. As a child, Gilhooly and his family lived for a time in the Virgin Islands and he dreamed of becoming a marine biologist. The artist believes that animals can evoke emotional responses without the viewer being aware of it. Cephalopods are an ancient group of marine mollusks that appeared millions of years before the first primitive fish began swimming in the ocean. Indeed, Cephlapod 5 looks slimy and repulsive, as though the primordial creature just crawled out of the sea.

Works by this artist (18 items)

View all artworks
Winston Vargas, Child in Washington Heights, New York, 1970, printed 2016, gelatin silver print, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase through the Smithsonian Latino Initiatives Pool, administered by the Smithsonian Latino Center, and through the Frank K. Ribelin Endowment, 2017.9.5, © 1970, Winston Vargas
Child in Washington Heights, New York
Artist
Date1970, printed 2016
gelatin silver print
Not on view
Winston Vargas, Robert Kennedy’s Campaign Office, New York, 1968, printed 2016, gelatin silver print, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase through the Smithsonian Latino Initiatives Pool, administered by the Smithsonian Latino Center, and through the Frank K. Ribelin Endowment, 2017.9.18, © 1968, Winston Vargas
Robert Kennedy’s Campaign Office, New York
Artist
Date1968, printed 2016
gelatin silver print
Not on view
Winston Vargas, Baseball Practice, George Washington High School, New York, 1960, printed 2016, gelatin silver print, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase through the Smithsonian Latino Initiatives Pool, administered by the Smithsonian Latino Center, and through the Frank K. Ribelin Endowment, 2017.9.4, © 1960, Winston Vargas
Baseball Practice, George Washington High School, New York
Artist
Date1960, printed 2016
gelatin silver print
Not on view
Winston Vargas, Domino Players, Washington Heights, New York, 1970, printed 2016, gelatin silver print, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase through the Smithsonian Latino Initiatives Pool, administered by the Smithsonian Latino Center, and through the Frank K. Ribelin Endowment, 2017.9.3, © 1970, Winston Vargas
Domino Players, Washington Heights, New York
Artist
Date1970, printed 2016
gelatin silver print
Not on view

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Ken Cory, Bear (pin), 1987, silver, 18k gold, 24k gold, blue topaz, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Beverly Cory, 1999.66.3
Bear (pin)
Artist
Date1987
silver, 18k gold, 24k gold, blue topaz
Not on view
Earl Pardon, Bracelet #1962, 1991, sterling silver, 14k gold, enamels with gilt, blue and yellow topaz, amethysts, rhodolite, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the James Renwick Alliance, Linda Lichtenberg Kaplan and Dr. Louis D. Kaplan in honor of Kenneth R. Trapp, and Colleen and John Kotelly, 2003.40
Bracelet #1962
Artist
Date1991
sterling silver, 14k gold, enamels with gilt, blue and yellow topaz, amethysts, rhodolite
Not on view