Hats On

Linda Bills, Hats On, 1988, tulip poplar bark, twigs, and waxed linen thread, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Theodore Cohen in memory of his mother and her sisters: Rose Melmon Cohen, Blanche Melmon, Mary Melmon Greenberg and Fanny Melmon Liberman, 1998.122.3A-B
Linda Bills, Hats On, 1988, tulip poplar bark, twigs, and waxed linen thread, assembled: 8 1211 3411 34 in. (21.629.829.8 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Theodore Cohen in memory of his mother and her sisters: Rose Melmon Cohen, Blanche Melmon, Mary Melmon Greenberg and Fanny Melmon Liberman, 1998.122.3A-B

Artwork Details

Title
Hats On
Artist
Date
1988
Dimensions
assembled: 8 1211 3411 34 in. (21.629.829.8 cm)
Credit Line
Gift of Theodore Cohen in memory of his mother and her sisters: Rose Melmon Cohen, Blanche Melmon, Mary Melmon Greenberg and Fanny Melmon Liberman
Mediums
Mediums Description
tulip poplar bark, twigs, and waxed linen thread
Classifications
Object Number
1998.122.3A-B

Artwork Description

Linda Bills made Hats On with pieces of tulip poplar bark, removed from limbs she gathered and rolled inside-out to dry. She created a chipboard scale model first, then used it as a template to cut the bark pieces into the desired finished shapes. Bills used waxed linen thread, reinforced on the interior with small twigs, to stitch the pieces together. The layering of the bark, particularly on the lid, reflects the artist's experience in traditional basket making. Also, the minimalist joinery paired with the lack of finish on the bark's surface highlights the natural features of the material.

Works by this artist (7 items)

Miles Burkholder Carpenter, Bull's Head, 1972, carved and painted wood, rubber, and thread, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Herbert Waide Hemphill, Jr. and museum purchase made possible by Ralph Cross Johnson, 1986.65.234
Bull’s Head
Date1972
carved and painted wood, rubber, and thread
On view
Miles Burkholder Carpenter, Self-Portrait (Indian Brave), 1967, wood, wool, linen, feathers, metal, paint and fur, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase, 1993.40A-C
Self-Portrait (Indian Brave)
Date1967
wood, wool, linen, feathers, metal, paint and fur
Not on view
Miles Burkholder Carpenter, WATER GATE, 1974, carved and painted wood, metal, paper, rubber hose, rubber bands, string, sawdust, and ballpoint pen and ink, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Herbert Waide Hemphill, Jr. and museum purchase made possible by Ralph Cross Johnson, 1986.65.237
WATER GATE
Date1974
carved and painted wood, metal, paper, rubber hose, rubber bands, string, sawdust, and ballpoint pen and ink
Not on view
Miles Burkholder Carpenter, Root Monster, 1968, carved and painted tree roots, rubber, metal, and string, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Herbert Waide Hemphill, Jr. and museum purchase made possible by Ralph Cross Johnson, 1986.65.238
Root Monster
Date1968
carved and painted tree roots, rubber, metal, and string
Not on view