Lost in Translation

Pat Hickman, Lost in Translation, 1995, bronze, 21 3⁄4 x 14 3⁄4 x 17 in. (55.3 x 37.5 x 43.2 cm) irregular, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase through the Renwick Acquisitions Fund, 1997.20

Artwork Details

Title
Lost in Translation
Artist
Date
1995
Location
Dimensions
21 3⁄4 x 14 3⁄4 x 17 in. (55.3 x 37.5 x 43.2 cm) irregular
Credit Line
Museum purchase through the Renwick Acquisitions Fund
Mediums
Mediums Description
bronze
Classifications
Object Number
1997.20
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1997.20

Artwork Description

The broken, twisted strands of bronze in Lost in Translation capture the memory of the fibers and twigs that Pat Hickman used to build the original piece. The work evokes a disintegrating basket or vessel, expressing the passage of time and the transience of all living things. Lost in Translation is one of several works that Hickman created to convey her sense of loss after two friends and collaborators, Lillian Elliott and Joanne Segal Brandford, died within days of one another. As powerful as this piece is, the title suggests that it still was not adequate to express Hickman's grief.

Works by this artist (6 items)

View all artworks
Pat Hickman, Lost in Translation, 1995, bronze, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase through the Renwick Acquisitions Fund, 1997.20
Lost in Translation
Artist
Date1995
bronze
On view
Pat Hickman, Tyranny of the Shoulds, 1989, hog casings, 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, 1998.122.9, © 1989, Patricia L. Hickman
Tyranny of the Shoulds
Artist
Date1989
hog casings
Not on view
Lillian Elliott, Pat Hickman, Leaf Basket, 1984, coconut palm sheath, hog casings, acrylic paint, and colored pencil, 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, 1998.122.11, © 1986, Patricia L. Hickman
Leaf Basket
Artist
Date1984
coconut palm sheath, hog casings, acrylic paint, and colored pencil
Not on view
Pat Hickman, Squatter, 1991, hog casings and acrylic paint, 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, 1998.122.10, © 1991, Patricia L. Hickman
Squatter
Artist
Date1991
hog casings and acrylic paint
Not on view

More Artworks from the Collection

Browse All Artworks
Paul Freundt, Troas, 1999, patinated bronze, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Douglas E. Macon, 2000.80, © 1999, Freundt
Troas
Artist
Date1999
patinated bronze
Not on view
J. Fred Woell, Requiem, 1968, silver, bronze, glass, photo, wood, and putty, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Rose Mary Wadman, 1991.57.2
Requiem
Artist
Date1968
silver, bronze, glass, photo, wood, and putty
Not on view
Garry Knox Bennett, Boston Kneehole, 1989, Honduras rosewood, maple, aluminum, brick, Fountainhead, Colorcore, antiqued bronze, and watercolor, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Anne and Ronald Abramson, the James Renwick Alliance and museum purchase through the Smithsonian Institution Collections Acquisition Program, 1990.104, © 1989, Gary Knox Bennett
Boston Kneehole
Artist
Date1989
Honduras rosewood, maple, aluminum, brick, Fountainhead, Colorcore, antiqued bronze, and watercolor
Not on view
Thomas Hucker, Low Table, 1985, mixed media: wood, bronze, and waxed linen string, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Bebe Pritam Johnson, Warren Eames Johnson and Peter T. Joseph, 1991.131A-C
Low Table
Artist
Date1985
mixed media: wood, bronze, and waxed linen string
Not on view