Totem

William Dawson, Totem, ca. 1975, acrylic and felt-tipped pen and ink on carved wood, 13 x 3 ¹⁄₈ in. (33.0 x 7.8 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Chuck and Jan Rosenak, 1981.136.1

Artwork Details

Title: Totem
Artist: William Dawson
Date: ca. 1975
Location: Smithsonian American Art Museum
/
Luce Foundation Center
/
3rd Floor
/
27A
Dimensions: 13 x 3 ¹⁄₈ in. (33.0 x 7.8 cm)
Credit Line: Gift of Chuck and Jan Rosenak
Mediums: ink
wood
acrylic
Mediums Description: acrylic and felt-tipped pen and ink on carved wood
Classifications: Sculpture
Subjects: African American
Figure — fragment — face
Object — art object — totem pole
Object Number: 1981.136.1
Linked Open Data: https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1981.136.1

Artwork Description

William Dawson carved stacks of faces from old table and chair legs before he even knew what a totem pole was. These pieces show his distinctive carved faces, with wide, staring eyes painted a stark white against different colored backgrounds. He made totems in a variety of heights depending on the piece of wood, and they can reach up to four feet.