Totem

Copied 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
Date
ca. 1975
Location
Dimensions
13 x 3 1⁄8 in. (33.0 x 7.8 cm)
Markings
bottom rear in acrylic: W'm DAWSON (written at an angle)
Credit Line
Gift of Chuck and Jan Rosenak
Mediums
Mediums Description
acrylic and felt-tipped pen and ink on carved wood
Classifications
Keywords
  • Group
  • 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.