Thornbush Blues Totem

John Scott, Thornbush Blues Totem, 1990, painted steel, 97 3463 1237 12 in. (248.3161.495.3 cm.), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase, 1994.34

Artwork Details

Title
Thornbush Blues Totem
Artist
Date
1990
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
97 3463 1237 12 in. (248.3161.495.3 cm.)
Credit Line
Museum purchase
Mediums
Mediums Description
painted steel
Classifications
Subjects
  • Abstract
Object Number
1994.34

Artwork Description

Scott learned well the lessons of his blues and jazz sources. The brightly colored surfaces of Thornbush Blues Totem not only define the relationship among the cut and bent metal parts; the sequencing of color also echoes the way musicians modulate tempo and pace. Blue and orange establish structure; the varying distances between stripes and bands are intervals that quicken or slow the pulsing cadence. For him, interval, rhythm, and space are interdependent elements in a swirling dance of color and form.


African American Art: Harlem Renaissance, Civil Rights Era, and Beyond, 2012

Works by this artist (4 items)

Howard Newman, Temptress, 1978, bronze, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Sara Roby Foundation, 1985.30.54
Temptress
Date1978
bronze
On view
Howard Newman, Half Woman, Quarter Bird, 1974-1975, bronze/cast, assembled and screwed, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Sara Roby Foundation, 1986.6.68, © 1975, Howard Newman
Half Woman, Quarter Bird
Date1974-1975
bronze/cast, assembled and screwed
Not on view
Howard Newman, Untitled, 1979, graphite and brown watercolor wash on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Sara Roby Foundation, 1985.30.53
Untitled
Date1979
graphite and brown watercolor wash on paper
Not on view
Howard Newman, Winter, 1978, bronze on integral base, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Sara Roby Foundation, 1985.30.55
Winter
Date1978
bronze on integral base
Not on view