Sam Richardson, It's Darker in the Valley, 1969, mixed media: plastic, wood, rubber, acrylic and paperboard, 8 1⁄8 x 12 x 11 7⁄8 in. (20.5 x 30.4 x 30.3 cm.), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Wende and Geoffrey Gates, 1976.138
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Artwork Details
- Title
- It’s Darker in the Valley
- Artist
- Date
- 1969
- Location
- Dimensions
- 8 1⁄8 x 12 x 11 7⁄8 in. (20.5 x 30.4 x 30.3 cm.)
- Credit Line
- Gift of Wende and Geoffrey Gates
- Mediums Description
- mixed media: plastic, wood, rubber, acrylic and paperboard
- Classifications
- Subjects
- Abstract
- Landscape — beach
- Waterscape — coast
- Object Number
- 1976.138
Artwork Description
It's Darker in the Valley is composed of three separate layers of plastic to represent air, water, and land. Sam Richardson built the land using polyurethane foam, which he sanded to the desired shape. The clear blue water was then cast from resin to fit perfectly with the curves of the land's surface. He applied delicate layers of color to the contours of this piece to give the illusion of natural light and shadow.