Steve Ashby, Dancing Couple, ca. 1973, carved and painted pine, found objects, 9 3⁄4 x 4 3⁄8 x 2 1⁄2 in. (24.8 x 11.1 x 6.4 cm.), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Chuck and Jan Rosenak and museum purchase through the Luisita L. and Franz H. Denghausen Endowment, 1997.124.51
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Artwork Details
- Title
- Dancing Couple
- Artist
- Date
- ca. 1973
- Location
- Dimensions
- 9 3⁄4 x 4 3⁄8 x 2 1⁄2 in. (24.8 x 11.1 x 6.4 cm.)
- Credit Line
- Gift of Chuck and Jan Rosenak and museum purchase through the Luisita L. and Franz H. Denghausen Endowment
- Mediums Description
- carved and painted pine, found objects
- Classifications
- Subjects
- Figure group
- Recreation — dancing
- Figure female — full length
- Figure male — full length
- Object Number
- 1997.124.51
Artwork Description
Steve Ashby cut out his sculptures from pieces of plywood and decorated them with model airplane paints and found objects. In Dancing Couple he made the wide, staring eyes by painting two thumbtacks. At first glance, the couple appear to be dancing, but on closer inspection the man’s leering expression and the woman’s defensive pose suggest a more sinister relationship.