Ronna Neuenschwander, Obsession, 1998, painted and sawdust-fired earthenware with terra sigillata, cut and formed tin, and teeth, 16 1⁄2 x 15 x 13 1⁄2 in. (41.9 x 38.1 x 34.3 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase through the Howard Kottler Endowment for Ceramic Art, 1998.136
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Artwork Details
- Title
- Obsession
- Artist
- Date
- 1998
- Location
- Dimensions
- 16 1⁄2 x 15 x 13 1⁄2 in. (41.9 x 38.1 x 34.3 cm)
- Credit Line
- Museum purchase through the Howard Kottler Endowment for Ceramic Art
- Mediums
- Mediums Description
- painted and sawdust-fired earthenware with terra sigillata, cut and formed tin, and teeth
- Classifications
- Subjects
- African American
- Figure male — full length
- State of being — illness — insanity
- Object Number
- 1998.136
Artwork Description
Ronna Neuenschwander’s sculptures of the human figure tell the stories of the people of Mali. In Obsession, a man is biting into his wrist while stretching away from his other hand, which is withered and small. This obvious reference to hunger contrasts with the garish collage of food labels that make up the figure’s outfit. In this way, the artist calls attention to the abundance that Westerners take for granted.