Totem with Cane

William Dawson, Totem with Cane, 1978, carved and painted wood, metal, and plastic, overall: 37 3⁄4 x 10 1⁄8 x 10 5⁄8 in. (95.9 x 25.6 x 27.0 cm.) A (totem): 37 3⁄4 x 10 1⁄8 x 10 5⁄8 in. (95.9 x 25.6 x 27.0 cm.) B (umbrella): 33 x 3 1⁄8 x 1 3⁄8 in. (83.8 x 7.9 x 3.5 cm.), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of David L. Davies, 1992.37.9A-B

Artwork Details

Title
Totem with Cane
Artist
Date
1978
Location
Dimensions
overall: 37 3⁄4 x 10 1⁄8 x 10 5⁄8 in. (95.9 x 25.6 x 27.0 cm.) A (totem): 37 3⁄4 x 10 1⁄8 x 10 5⁄8 in. (95.9 x 25.6 x 27.0 cm.) B (umbrella): 33 x 3 1⁄8 x 1 3⁄8 in. (83.8 x 7.9 x 3.5 cm.)
Credit Line
Gift of David L. Davies
Mediums
Mediums Description
carved and painted wood, metal, and plastic
Classifications
Subjects
  • Dress — accessory — umbrella
  • Figure — head
Object Number
1992.37.9A-B
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1992.37.9A-B

Artwork Description

William Dawson carved stacks of faces from old table and chair legs before he even knew what a totem pole was. These pieces show his distinctive carved faces, with wide, staring eyes painted a stark white against different colored backgrounds. He made totems in a variety of heights depending on the piece of wood, and they can reach up to four feet.

Works by this artist (6 items)

View all artworks
William Dawson, Untitled (Family Tree Totem), 1977, painted wood, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Orren and Marilyn Bradley and Kohler Foundation, Inc., 2015.58.7
Untitled (Family Tree Totem)
Artist
Date1977
painted wood
On view
William Dawson, Untitled (Lady), ca. 1970 - 1980, painted wood and hair, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Orren and Marilyn Bradley and Kohler Foundation, Inc., 2015.58.8
Untitled (Lady)
Artist
Dateca. 1970 - 1980
painted wood and hair
On view
William Dawson, Man and Woman, 1982, painted and carved wood, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Chuck and Jan Rosenak and museum purchase through the Luisita L. and Franz H. Denghausen Endowment, 1997.124.56A-B
Man and Woman
Artist
Date1982
painted and carved wood
On view
William Dawson, Totem, ca. 1975, acrylic and felt-tipped pen and ink on carved wood, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Chuck and Jan Rosenak, 1981.136.1
Totem
Artist
Dateca. 1975
acrylic and felt-tipped pen and ink on carved wood
On view

More Artworks from the Collection

Browse All Artworks
Derek Webster, Untitled (Large Figure), 1984, painted wood with plastic, putty, and metal, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Chuck and Jan Rosenak and museum purchase through the Luisita L. and Franz H. Denghausen Endowment, 1997.124.93
Untitled (Large Figure)
Artist
Date1984
painted wood with plastic, putty, and metal
On view
Derek Webster, Untitled (Medium Figure), ca. 1986, painted wood with metal, cloth, hair, plastic, and putty, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Chuck and Jan Rosenak and museum purchase through the Luisita L. and Franz H. Denghausen Endowment, 1997.124.94
Untitled (Medium Figure)
Artist
Dateca. 1986
painted wood with metal, cloth, hair, plastic, and putty
On view
Ed Bereal, America: A Mercy Killing, 1966-1974, mixed media including wood, metal, fabric, plastic, and paper with electric, kinetic, and pneumatic components, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase, 1974.29, © 1968, Ed Bereal
America: A Mercy Killing
Artist
Date1966-1974
mixed media including wood, metal, fabric, plastic, and paper with electric, kinetic, and pneumatic components
On view
Blue Sky, Installation Model for Moonlight on the Great Pee Dee, 1978, wood, paperboard, flourescent light, metal, plastic and paint, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from the General Services Administration, Art-in-Architecture Program, 1979.159.25
Installation Model for Moonlight on the Great Pee Dee
Artist
Date1978
wood, paperboard, flourescent light, metal, plastic and paint
Not on view