Our Destruction

Carla Hemlock, Our Destruction, 2019, wool stroud cloth, wool, glass beads, crystals, sequins, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase through the Kenneth R. Trapp Acquisition Fund, 2021.10, © 2020, Carla Goodleaf Hemlock
Carla Hemlock, Our Destruction, 2019, wool stroud cloth, wool, glass beads, crystals, sequins, overall: 30 × 34 in. (76.2 × 86.4 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase through the Kenneth R. Trapp Acquisition Fund, 2021.10, © 2020, Carla Goodleaf Hemlock

Artwork Details

Title
Our Destruction
Date
2019
Dimensions
overall: 30 × 34 in. (76.2 × 86.4 cm)
Copyright
© 2020, Carla Goodleaf Hemlock
Credit Line
Museum purchase through the Kenneth R. Trapp Acquisition Fund
Mediums
Mediums Description
wool stroud cloth, wool, glass beads, crystals, sequins
Classifications
Subjects
  • Indian
Object Number
2021.10

Artwork Description

Inside this vibrant scene of beaded flowers, vines, birds, and dragonflies is a pair of sequined ruby-red slippers identical to the ones worn by Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz. The toe of one slipper reads “tic” and the other “toc.” The “tic toc” warning repeats, echoing in each corner.


Despite its outward beauty, Our Destruction speaks to the current state of the planet and global climate change. On the textile’s reverse, the artist writes, “Our Natural world is an environmental ticking time bomb on the eve of destruction. Time is running out. Our inaction will soon redefine those Ruby Red Slippers to symbolize ‘No Place to Call Home.’” The work is a harbinger of what humans cannot lose—Our Heart, Our Home, Our Soul.


This Present Moment: Crafting a Better World, 2022


Works by this artist (5 items)

Aaron Yakim, Non Tucket Rib, 2001, handsplit white oak, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Carol and Charles Rademaker and their children, Garth and Louise, in honor of Kenneth R. Trapp, 2002.63
Non Tucket Rib
Date2001
handsplit white oak
On view
Aaron Yakim, Jesse Style Rib Basket, #25-97, 1997, white oak, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Martha G. Ware and Steven R. Cole, 2011.47.73
Jesse Style Rib Basket, #25 – 97
Date1997
white oak
Not on view
Aaron Yakim, Swing-Handled Egg Basket, #9-97, 1997, white oak, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Martha G. Ware and Steven R. Cole, 2011.47.72
Swing-Handled Egg Basket, #9 – 97
Date1997
white oak
Not on view
Aaron Yakim, Biscuit Basket, #26-97, 1997, white oak, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Martha G. Ware and Steven R. Cole, 2011.47.74
Biscuit Basket, #26 – 97
Date1997
white oak
Not on view

Exhibitions

Quilt featuring the portrait of a woman
This Present Moment: Crafting a Better World
May 13, 2022April 2, 2023
This Present Moment: Crafting a Better World showcases the dynamic landscape of American craft today.

More Artworks from the Collection

Leon Niehues, Double Basket, #90, 1994, white oak and waxed linen thread, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Martha G. Ware and Steven R. Cole, 2011.47.47
Double Basket, #90
Date1994
white oak and waxed linen thread
Not on view
Stanley Rembisz, Shearing Basket, 1997, white oak, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Martha G. Ware and Steven R. Cole, 2011.47.59
Shearing Basket
Date1997
white oak
Not on view
Trevle Wood, Wall Basket, 1996, white oak, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Martha G. Ware and Steven R. Cole, 2011.47.70
Wall Basket
Date1996
white oak
Not on view
Aaron Yakim, Swing-Handled Egg Basket, #9-97, 1997, white oak, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Martha G. Ware and Steven R. Cole, 2011.47.72
Swing-Handled Egg Basket, #9 – 97
Date1997
white oak
Not on view