Untitled (Will), from the Untitled Portfolio

Barbara Kruger, Untitled (Will), from the Untitled Portfolio, 1985, photo-offset lithograph and screenprint on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase, 1986.50F
Barbara Kruger, Untitled (Will), from the Untitled Portfolio, 1985, photo-offset lithograph and screenprint on paper, sheet: 20 1⁄2 x 20 1⁄2 in. (52.0 x 52.0 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase, 1986.50F

Artwork Details

Title
Untitled (Will), from the Untitled Portfolio
Artist
Publisher
Peter Blum Edition
Date
1985
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
sheet: 20 1⁄2 x 20 1⁄2 in. (52.0 x 52.0 cm)
Credit Line
Museum purchase
Mediums Description
photo-offset lithograph and screenprint on paper
Classifications
Subjects
  • Object — letter
  • Figure male — fragment — hand
  • Allegory — quality — determination
  • Allegory — civic — rebellion
Object Number
1986.50F
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1986.50F

Artwork Description

Barbara Kruger is known for pairing incisive text with found photographs, usually taken from old advertisements or magazine illustrations. In this piece, she recasts an English proverb-- "Children should be seen and not heard"--as a "we" statement of refusal and protest. The force of each word is underscored by an image of an expressive hand gesture.
 
Who do you think is the "we" in this statement?

Works by this artist (731 items)

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Joseph Cornell, Untitled (Juan Gris drawing), late 1960s, collage on masonite, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of The Joseph and Robert Cornell Memorial Foundation, 2002.58.20
Untitled (Juan Gris drawing)
Artist
Datelate 1960s
collage on masonite
Not on view
Joseph Cornell, Untitled (Rorschach drawing), n.d., drawing, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of The Joseph and Robert Cornell Memorial Foundation, 1991.155.408
Untitled (Rorschach drawing)
Artist
Daten.d.
drawing
Not on view
Joseph Cornell, Bonjour M. Balzac (Peau de Chagrin), 1971, collage, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of The Joseph and Robert Cornell Memorial Foundation, 1991.155.309
Bonjour M. Balzac (Peau de Chagrin)
Artist
Date1971
collage
Not on view
Joseph Cornell, Untitled (white cockatoo and other birds), 1969-1971, collage, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of The Joseph and Robert Cornell Memorial Foundation, 1991.155.297
Untitled (white cockatoo and other birds)
Artist
Date1969-1971
collage
Not on view

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Christ Carrying the Cross
Artist
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