Woman in Red Dress at Piano

Steve Ashby, Woman in Red Dress at Piano, ca. 1973, carved and painted plywood, found objects, magazine cutouts, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Chuck and Jan Rosenak and museum purchase through the Luisita L. and Franz H. Denghausen Endowment, 1997.124.49
Copied Steve Ashby, Woman in Red Dress at Piano, ca. 1973, carved and painted plywood, found objects, magazine cutouts, 6 1⁄4 x 5 x 4 1⁄4 in. (15.9 x 12.7 x 10.8 cm.), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Chuck and Jan Rosenak and museum purchase through the Luisita L. and Franz H. Denghausen Endowment, 1997.124.49

Artwork Details

Title
Woman in Red Dress at Piano
Artist
Date
ca. 1973
Location
Dimensions
6 1⁄4 x 5 x 4 1⁄4 in. (15.9 x 12.7 x 10.8 cm.)
Credit Line
Gift of Chuck and Jan Rosenak and museum purchase through the Luisita L. and Franz H. Denghausen Endowment
Mediums
Mediums Description
carved and painted plywood, found objects, magazine cutouts
Classifications
Subjects
  • Performing arts — music — piano
  • Figure female — full length
  • Object — musical instrument — piano
Object Number
1997.124.49
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1997.124.49

Artwork Description

Steve Ashby created many sculptures that encouraged the viewer to take part, either by turning a lever or pulling a string. In this piece the woman’s leg can be moved up and down as if she were pushing the piano’s pedals. The magazine cutout on the top of the piano reads “Complement your favor[ite] melodies--Choose from exciting rhythm back grounds including: Latin, jazz, foxtrot, waltz, rock an[d] metronome.” This suggests that Ashby wants the viewer to imagine a favorite piece of music while looking at this piece.