Woman in Red Dress at Piano

Steve Ashby, Woman in Red Dress at Piano, ca. 1973, carved and painted plywood, found objects, magazine cutouts, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Chuck and Jan Rosenak and museum purchase through the Luisita L. and Franz H. Denghausen Endowment, 1997.124.49
Steve Ashby, Woman in Red Dress at Piano, ca. 1973, carved and painted plywood, found objects, magazine cutouts, 6 1⁄4 x 5 x 4 1⁄4 in. (15.9 x 12.7 x 10.8 cm.), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Chuck and Jan Rosenak and museum purchase through the Luisita L. and Franz H. Denghausen Endowment, 1997.124.49

Artwork Details

Title
Woman in Red Dress at Piano
Artist
Date
ca. 1973
Location
Dimensions
6 1⁄4 x 5 x 4 1⁄4 in. (15.9 x 12.7 x 10.8 cm.)
Credit Line
Gift of Chuck and Jan Rosenak and museum purchase through the Luisita L. and Franz H. Denghausen Endowment
Mediums
Mediums Description
carved and painted plywood, found objects, magazine cutouts
Classifications
Subjects
  • Performing arts — music — piano
  • Figure female — full length
  • Object — musical instrument — piano
Object Number
1997.124.49
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1997.124.49

Artwork Description

Steve Ashby created many sculptures that encouraged the viewer to take part, either by turning a lever or pulling a string. In this piece the woman’s leg can be moved up and down as if she were pushing the piano’s pedals. The magazine cutout on the top of the piano reads “Complement your favor[ite] melodies--Choose from exciting rhythm back grounds including: Latin, jazz, foxtrot, waltz, rock an[d] metronome.” This suggests that Ashby wants the viewer to imagine a favorite piece of music while looking at this piece.

Works by this artist (8 items)

View all artworks
Steve Ashby, Woman in Red Dress at Piano, ca. 1973, carved and painted plywood, found objects, magazine cutouts, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Chuck and Jan Rosenak and museum purchase through the Luisita L. and Franz H. Denghausen Endowment, 1997.124.49
Woman in Red Dress at Piano
Artist
Dateca. 1973
carved and painted plywood, found objects, magazine cutouts
On view
Steve Ashby, Dancing Couple, ca. 1973, carved and painted pine, found objects, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Chuck and Jan Rosenak and museum purchase through the Luisita L. and Franz H. Denghausen Endowment, 1997.124.51
Dancing Couple
Artist
Dateca. 1973
carved and painted pine, found objects
On view
Steve Ashby, Pregnant Woman, ca. late 1960s, painted and carved wood with cloth, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Herbert Waide Hemphill, Jr. and museum purchase made possible by Ralph Cross Johnson, 1986.65.231
Pregnant Woman
Artist
Dateca. late 1960s
painted and carved wood with cloth
On view
Steve Ashby, Man Playing Drums, 1973, incised, painted and assembled wood, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Chuck and Jan Rosenak, 1982.114.5
Man Playing Drums
Artist
Date1973
incised, painted and assembled wood
On view