Convertible Car Kiln

Patti Warashina, Convertible Car Kiln, ca. 1971, earthenware, gold and silver luster glaze, and Plexiglas, 14 1235 1214 12 in. (36.990.236.9 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the James Renwick Alliance, 1994.37.1, © Patti Warashina

Artwork Details

Title
Convertible Car Kiln
Date
ca. 1971
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
14 1235 1214 12 in. (36.990.236.9 cm)
Copyright
© Patti Warashina
Credit Line
Gift of the James Renwick Alliance
Mediums Description
earthenware, gold and silver luster glaze, and Plexiglas
Classifications
Subjects
  • Architecture — vehicle — automobile
  • Allegory — element — fire
Object Number
1994.37.1

Artwork Description

A closer look at Patti Warashina's engaging ceramic works often reveals an underlying layer of social or political commentary rife with tongue-in-cheek humor. In her Kiln series from the late 1960s and early 70s, Warashina pokes fun at the ceramic world's "cult of the kiln" and clay's often exaggerated association with masculinity during that time. Here, Warashina puns on the term "car kiln" -- literally, a kiln on wheels -- conflating the macho cultures surrounding clay and cars. Gold and silver luster flames allude to hotrod culture while adding a distinctly decorative feminine touch.


Works by this artist (1 item)

Sonya Clark, Monumental, 2019, woven linen with madder dye and tea stain, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase through the American Women's History Initiative Acquisitions Pool, administered by the Smithsonian American Women's History Initiative, the Luisita L. and Franz H. Denghausen Endowment, and the Kenneth R. Trapp Acquisition Fund, 2022.13, © 2019, Sonya Y.S. Clark
Monumental
Date2019
woven linen with madder dye and tea stain
Not on view

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