Bones

Andrea Way, Bones, 1987, ink on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Tom and Judy Brody, 2009.38.3, © 1987, Andrea Way
Andrea Way, Bones, 1987, ink on paper, sheet and image: 3651 34 in. (91.4131.4 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Tom and Judy Brody, 2009.38.3, © 1987, Andrea Way

Artwork Details

Title
Bones
Artist
Date
1987
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
sheet and image: 3651 34 in. (91.4131.4 cm)
Copyright
© 1987, Andrea Way
Credit Line
Gift of Tom and Judy Brody
Mediums
Mediums Description
ink on paper
Classifications
Subjects
  • Abstract
Object Number
2009.38.3

Artwork Description

Andrea Way created Bones through a rule based process, in which she combined strict formal guidelines with chance to determine the final composition. She began by drawing dots in a random fashion, then superimposed a three-inch grid made with dots, then added concentric circles made with white ink. The rules and patterns become increasingly complex as the layers accumulate. The title alludes to the artist’s experience of fossil hunting along the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay. The concentric circles suggest ripples on the water through which she looked to find treasures such as shark teeth, the inner ear bones of a porpoise, dolphin vertebrae, a sting ray tooth, and Miocene fossils.

Abstract Drawings, 2012


Works by this artist (2 items)

Andrea Way, Bones, 1987, ink on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Tom and Judy Brody, 2009.38.3, © 1987, Andrea Way
Bones
Date1987
ink on paper
Not on view
Andrea Way, Cicada, 1992, screenprint, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase made possible by Barry and Beverly Pierce, 1992.68, © 1992, Andrea Way
Cicada
Date1992
screenprint
Not on view

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Welmon Sharlhorne, Untitled (Building with Recessed Entrance and Black Foreground), ca. 1992, ink on manila envelope, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Chuck and Jan Rosenak and museum purchase through the Luisita L. and Franz H. Denghausen Endowment, 1997.124.135
Untitled (Building with Recessed Entrance and Black…
Dateca. 1992
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Andrea Way, Bones, 1987, ink on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Tom and Judy Brody, 2009.38.3, © 1987, Andrea Way
Bones
Date1987
ink on paper
Not on view
William H. Johnson, Bearded Man, ca. 1935, pen and ink on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Harmon Foundation, 1967.59.378
Bearded Man
Dateca. 1935
pen and ink on paper
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Welmon Sharlhorne, Bus, ca. 1992, ink on manila envelope, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Chuck and Jan Rosenak and museum purchase through the Luisita L. and Franz H. Denghausen Endowment, 1997.124.134
Bus
Dateca. 1992
ink on manila envelope
Not on view