Self-Portrait

Copied William Dawson, Self-Portrait, ca. 1970 - 1980, painted wood, 18 1⁄4 × 5 1⁄2 × 2 3⁄4 in. (46.4 × 14 × 7 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Orren and Marilyn Bradley and Kohler Foundation, Inc., 2015.58.6

Artwork Details

Title
Self-Portrait
Artist
Date
ca. 1970 - 1980
Location
Dimensions
18 1⁄4 × 5 1⁄2 × 2 3⁄4 in. (46.4 × 14 × 7 cm)
Credit Line
Gift of Orren and Marilyn Bradley and Kohler Foundation, Inc.
Mediums Description
painted wood
Classifications
Keywords
  • Occupation — art — artist
Object Number
2015.58.6
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/2015.58.6

Artwork Description

William Dawson whittled sculptures of men and women using scrap wood found in alleys or on the street in his Chicago neighborhood. Limited only by his imagination, he used bold colors and materials such as chicken bones, glitter, and driftwood to add character to his pieces. In this self-portrait, he shows himself in a turquoise cardigan and blue pants. His brilliant eyes and wide-open mouth give the figure a highly animated effect, enhanced by movable arms attached to the body by nails. Dawson even hand-sewed the leather satchel wrapped around the figure’s waist.