Merfrog and her Pet Fish

David Gilhooly, Merfrog and her Pet Fish, 1979, white earthenware and glazes, 7 x 6 x 7 ³⁄₈ in. (17.8 x 15.2 x 18.7 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Helen Williams Drutt English and H. Peter Stern in honor of the 35^th anniversary of the Renwick Gallery, 2007.47.12

Artwork Details

Title: Merfrog and her Pet Fish
Artist: David Gilhooly
Date: 1979
Location: Smithsonian American Art Museum
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Luce Foundation Center
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4th Floor
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53A
Dimensions: 7 x 6 x 7 ³⁄₈ in. (17.8 x 15.2 x 18.7 cm)
Credit Line: Gift of Helen Williams Drutt English and H. Peter Stern in honor of the 35^th anniversary of the Renwick Gallery
Mediums Description: white earthenware and glazes
Classifications: Decorative Arts
Object Number: 2007.47.12
Linked Open Data: https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/2007.47.12

Artwork Description

David Gilhooly made his first ceramic frog during a friendly mug-making competition among classmates at the University of California–Davis. This inspired the artist to create a whole civilization composed entirely of frogs, ranging from Napoleon-inspired frog busts to frog-Egyptian gods. Gilhooly originally thought about making pigs, but decided not to, stating: "The trouble with making a PigWorld rather than the FrogWorld was that pigs are 'loaded.' That is, people have a lot of negative ideas that are attached to pigs...." In Merfrog and her Pet Fish, Gilhooly refers to one of his favorite themes, fertility, by creating an absurdly voluptuous frog surrounded by devoted singing companions. (Artist's website, www.davidgilhooly.com, January 2006)