Perpetual Motion

Beatrice Wood, Perpetual Motion, ca. 1970, glazed earthenware, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of George C. Zachary in memory of Devlin Mario Archie, 1994.104, © 1970, Radha R. Sloss, Conservator for Beatrice Wood
Copied Beatrice Wood, Perpetual Motion, ca. 1970, glazed earthenware, 19 1⁄4 x 13 1⁄2 x 14 3⁄4 in. (49.0 x 34.3 x 37.5 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of George C. Zachary in memory of Devlin Mario Archie, 1994.104, © 1970, Radha R. Sloss, Conservator for Beatrice Wood

Artwork Details

Title
Perpetual Motion
Artist
Date
ca. 1970
Location
Dimensions
19 1⁄4 x 13 1⁄2 x 14 3⁄4 in. (49.0 x 34.3 x 37.5 cm)
Copyright
© 1970, Radha R. Sloss, Conservator for Beatrice Wood
Credit Line
Gift of George C. Zachary in memory of Devlin Mario Archie
Mediums
Mediums Description
glazed earthenware
Classifications
Subjects
  • Figure female — full length
  • Dress — accessory — hat
  • Object — furniture — chair
Object Number
1994.104
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1994.104

Artwork Description

Beatrice Wood began to create sculptures like this woman in the early 1970s, calling them “sophisticated primitives.” She intended for these sculptures to appear humorous, and used them to reflect her feelings about society, human behavior, and gender relationships. The woman, presumably a prostitute, happily sits on a chair wearing an oversized hat and a strapless dress that reveals her slip at the bottom. Wood often said that she would make figural sculptures such as Perpetual Motion in order to take a refreshing break from making pots.