Preamble

Mike Wilkins, Preamble, 1987, painted metal on vinyl and wood, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Nissan Motor Corporation in U.S.A., 1988.39
Mike Wilkins, Preamble, 1987, painted metal on vinyl and wood, 9696 in. (243.8243.8 cm.), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Nissan Motor Corporation in U.S.A., 1988.39

Artwork Details

Title
Preamble
Artist
Date
1987
Dimensions
9696 in. (243.8243.8 cm.)
Credit Line
Gift of Nissan Motor Corporation in U.S.A.
Mediums
Mediums Description
painted metal on vinyl and wood
Classifications
Subjects
  • History — United States — Constitution
  • Architecture — vehicle — detail
Object Number
1988.39

Artwork Description

In a show of American ingenuity, Mike Wilkins utilized a collection of vanity license plates to phonetically spell out the preamble to the US Constitution in abbreviated script. All fifty states and the District of Columbia are represented in alphabetical order. Though the plates rarely make sense on their own, together they re-create one of the greatest documents in American history. This work represents the meaning of the phrase "the United States" with a fun twist.

Smithsonian American Art Museum: Commemorative Guide. Nashville, TN: Beckon Books, 2015.

Works by this artist (7 items)

Miles Burkholder Carpenter, Bull's Head, 1972, carved and painted wood, rubber, and thread, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Herbert Waide Hemphill, Jr. and museum purchase made possible by Ralph Cross Johnson, 1986.65.234
Bull’s Head
Date1972
carved and painted wood, rubber, and thread
On view
Miles Burkholder Carpenter, Self-Portrait (Indian Brave), 1967, wood, wool, linen, feathers, metal, paint and fur, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase, 1993.40A-C
Self-Portrait (Indian Brave)
Date1967
wood, wool, linen, feathers, metal, paint and fur
Not on view
Miles Burkholder Carpenter, WATER GATE, 1974, carved and painted wood, metal, paper, rubber hose, rubber bands, string, sawdust, and ballpoint pen and ink, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Herbert Waide Hemphill, Jr. and museum purchase made possible by Ralph Cross Johnson, 1986.65.237
WATER GATE
Date1974
carved and painted wood, metal, paper, rubber hose, rubber bands, string, sawdust, and ballpoint pen and ink
Not on view
Miles Burkholder Carpenter, Root Monster, 1968, carved and painted tree roots, rubber, metal, and string, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Herbert Waide Hemphill, Jr. and museum purchase made possible by Ralph Cross Johnson, 1986.65.238
Root Monster
Date1968
carved and painted tree roots, rubber, metal, and string
Not on view