Lost in Translation

Pat Hickman, Lost in Translation, 1995, bronze, 21 3⁄4 x 14 3⁄4 x 17 in. (55.3 x 37.5 x 43.2 cm) irregular, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase through the Renwick Acquisitions Fund, 1997.20

Artwork Details

Title
Lost in Translation
Artist
Date
1995
Location
Dimensions
21 3⁄4 x 14 3⁄4 x 17 in. (55.3 x 37.5 x 43.2 cm) irregular
Credit Line
Museum purchase through the Renwick Acquisitions Fund
Mediums
Mediums Description
bronze
Classifications
Object Number
1997.20
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1997.20

Artwork Description

The broken, twisted strands of bronze in Lost in Translation capture the memory of the fibers and twigs that Pat Hickman used to build the original piece. The work evokes a disintegrating basket or vessel, expressing the passage of time and the transience of all living things. Lost in Translation is one of several works that Hickman created to convey her sense of loss after two friends and collaborators, Lillian Elliott and Joanne Segal Brandford, died within days of one another. As powerful as this piece is, the title suggests that it still was not adequate to express Hickman's grief.

Works by this artist (6 items)

View all artworks
Pat Hickman, Lost in Translation, 1995, bronze, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase through the Renwick Acquisitions Fund, 1997.20
Lost in Translation
Artist
Date1995
bronze
On view
Lillian Elliott, Pat Hickman, Leaf Basket, 1984, coconut palm sheath, hog casings, acrylic paint, and colored pencil, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Theodore Cohen in memory of his mother and her sisters: Rose Melmon Cohen, Blanche Melmon, Mary Melmon Greenberg and Fanny Melmon Liberman, 1998.122.11, © 1986, Patricia L. Hickman
Leaf Basket
Artist
Date1984
coconut palm sheath, hog casings, acrylic paint, and colored pencil
Not on view
Lillian Elliott, Pat Hickman, River Stone, 1989, reeds, waxed linen thread, hog casings, and colored ink, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Eleanor T. and Samuel J. Rosenfeld, 2002.8.3
River Stone
Artist
Date1989
reeds, waxed linen thread, hog casings, and colored ink
Not on view
Lillian Elliott, Pat Hickman, Nomad, 1983, reeds, waxed linen thread, hog casings, acrylic paint and india ink, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of an anonymous donor, 1984.79
Nomad
Artist
Date1983
reeds, waxed linen thread, hog casings, acrylic paint and india ink
Not on view

More Artworks from the Collection

Browse All Artworks
Thomas Gentille, Untitled (brooch), n.d., plastic, silver, brass or bronze, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Susan Beech Collection, 2024.50.28, Photo by John Wilson White
Untitled (brooch)
Artist
Daten.d.
plastic, silver, brass or bronze
Not on view
Suzan Rezac, Untitled (Brooch), 1983, shibuichi, copper, and bronze, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Helen Williams Drutt English and H. Peter Stern in honor of the 35th anniversary of the Renwick Gallery, 2007.47.23
Untitled (Brooch)
Artist
Date1983
shibuichi, copper, and bronze
Not on view
Juan Hamilton, Juan 11-17-84, 1984, bronze, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of KPMG Peat Marwick, 1993.54.5
Juan 11−17−84
Artist
Date1984
bronze
On view
Dan Dailey, Huntress, 1993, fabricated and patinated bronze and gold plated bronze and cut, polished, and blown glass and plate glass, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the James Renwick Alliance, 1994.77
Huntress
Artist
Date1993
fabricated and patinated bronze and gold plated bronze and cut, polished, and blown glass and plate glass
On view