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I find the tensions of the day go away when I run a few miles before dark. The light is different, I hear new things and smell new odors like a fireplace burning oakwood. Sometimes I find that dogs are not man's best friend.

I find the tensions of the day go away when I run a few miles before dark. The light is different, I hear new things and smell new odors like a fireplace burning oakwood. Sometimes I find that dogs are not man's best friend.

Portfolio TitleSuburbia

Artist Bill Owens (American, born 1938)

Dateca. 1972; printed 1998

MediumGelatin silver print

DimensionsImage: 6 7/16 × 9 3/8 inches (16.35 × 23.81 cm)
Sheet: 7 15/16 × 9 7/8 inches (20.16 × 25.08 cm)

Credit LineGift of Robert Koch in honor of the 75th anniversary of The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art

Object number2007.54.16

SignedSigned on sheet verso, lower right, in pencil; On sheet verso, lower right, stamped in black ink: "© BILL OWENS / PUBLISHERS COPY / PRINTED 1998".

Markingsnone

Edition/State/Proofed. 1/5

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DescriptionImage of two men jogging on the sidewalk past a suburban house. They are wearing shorts and t-shirts.

Copyright© Bill Owens

Information about a particular artwork or image, including provenance information, is based upon historic information and may not be currently accurate or complete. Research on artwork and images is an ongoing process, and the information about a particular artwork or image may not reflect the most current information available to the Museum. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about a particular artwork or image, please e-mail provenance@nelson-atkins.org.

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I have all the cares of home ownership and the privacy of apartment living. We have an investment in the house. So I find myself doing all the undesirable chores to protect our investment.

I have all the cares of home ownership and the privacy of apartment living. We have an investment in the house. So I find myself doing all the undesirable chores to protect our investment.

Bill Owens

ca. 1972; printed 1998

2007.54.86

Untitled (M. Robert Macaire, I do not know what one finds amusing)

Untitled (M. Robert Macaire, I do not know what one finds amusing)

Honoré Daumier

1836-1838

F68-7/64

I find a sense of freedom in the suburbs... You assume the mask of suburbia for outward appearances and yet no one knows what you really do.

I find a sense of freedom in the suburbs... You assume the mask of suburbia for outward appearances and yet no one knows what you really do.

Bill Owens

ca. 1972; printed 1998

2007.54.4

FULTON. MO. MAY. 7.TH 1973. YES, 80" YEARS OF HARD" HARD; LABOUR. IS' A-HECK OF A LONG" LONG TIME; YES, SAWING WOOD, TO KEEP THE PEOPLE WARM YES, MANY' FAMILIES: HAVE SAT BY: A RED HOT STOVE' AFTER A SAWED THEIR WOOD. I HAVE SHEARED MANY SHEEP, AND' GOATS I HAVE NAILED SHOES ON A NUMBER: OF HORSE'S. I HAVE PL-OWED' AND ORDERED, MANY GARDENS: FOR ONE THIRD THE PRICE YOU HAVE TO PAY" JUST TO' GET ONE" ONE: tHIRD BRO-KE." i PLOWED WITH A SIX HORSE: TEAM." IN: LITTLE SHASTA. CAL-IN YEAR. 1905. I HAVE STACKED MANY. STACKS' OF: HAY" I HAVE HAULED MANY LOGS TO BE'SAWED INTO LUMBER; I HAVE WORKED' IN SOME OF THE LARGEST SAW MILL'S, IN THE U.S.A. I RUN STREET CARS IN. PINE BLUFF ARK. I DROVE SKILES' IN THE WABAS' RR. IN 1904. QUOTE. IN: THE SWEAT OF THEY FACE SHALT THOU: EAT BREAD; GEN.3:19. JESSE HOWARD.

FULTON. MO. MAY. 7.TH 1973. YES, 80" YEARS OF HARD" HARD; LABOUR. IS' A-HECK OF A LONG" LONG TIME; YES, SAWING WOOD, TO KEEP THE PEOPLE WARM YES, MANY' FAMILIES: HAVE SAT BY: A RED HOT STOVE' AFTER A SAWED THEIR WOOD. I HAVE SHEARED MANY SHEEP, AND' GOATS I HAVE NAILED SHOES ON A NUMBER: OF HORSE'S. I HAVE PL-OWED' AND ORDERED, MANY GARDENS: FOR ONE THIRD THE PRICE YOU HAVE TO PAY" JUST TO' GET ONE" ONE: tHIRD BRO-KE." i PLOWED WITH A SIX HORSE: TEAM." IN: LITTLE SHASTA. CAL-IN YEAR. 1905. I HAVE STACKED MANY. STACKS' OF: HAY" I HAVE HAULED MANY LOGS TO BE'SAWED INTO LUMBER; I HAVE WORKED' IN SOME OF THE LARGEST SAW MILL'S, IN THE U.S.A. I RUN STREET CARS IN. PINE BLUFF ARK. I DROVE SKILES' IN THE WABAS' RR. IN 1904. QUOTE. IN: THE SWEAT OF THEY FACE SHALT THOU: EAT BREAD; GEN.3:19. JESSE HOWARD.

Jesse Howard

1973

2017.17.5

I get a lot of compliments on the front room wall. I like Italian Syrocco floral designs over the mantle. It goes well with the Palos Verde rock fireplace.

I get a lot of compliments on the front room wall. I like Italian Syrocco floral designs over the mantle. It goes well with the Palos Verde rock fireplace.

Bill Owens

ca. 1972; printed 1998

2007.54.46

FULTON. MO. MARCH.19.1973. THE COURT HOUSE' GANG." YES, THE COURT HOUSE GANG." YOU HAVE PROVED TO MY SATISFACTION." THAT YOU DON'T CARE ADAM'N" FOR' OLD MAN. HOWARD; ONLY. MY TAX $DOLLARS. YOU HAVE RAISED MY TAXES EVERY YEAR." FOR 28. LONG YEARS." YES, YOU ARE NOT SATI-SFIED" TO RAISE MY TAXES, BUT, SOME ONE OF THE GANG TOOK MY OLD AGE PENSION AWAY; MORE YET, YOU ARE: TAKING MONEY UNDER FALSE PRETENSE; I WAS FORCED TO JOIN THE CARPTNERS UNION; I WAS FIRED BECAUSE, I WOULD NOT; HOOT, TOOT, SHOOT DICE; WITH THE GANG.

FULTON. MO. MARCH.19.1973. THE COURT HOUSE' GANG." YES, THE COURT HOUSE GANG." YOU HAVE PROVED TO MY SATISFACTION." THAT YOU DON'T CARE ADAM'N" FOR' OLD MAN. HOWARD; ONLY. MY TAX $DOLLARS. YOU HAVE RAISED MY TAXES EVERY YEAR." FOR 28. LONG YEARS." YES, YOU ARE NOT SATI-SFIED" TO RAISE MY TAXES, BUT, SOME ONE OF THE GANG TOOK MY OLD AGE PENSION AWAY; MORE YET, YOU ARE: TAKING MONEY UNDER FALSE PRETENSE; I WAS FORCED TO JOIN THE CARPTNERS UNION; I WAS FIRED BECAUSE, I WOULD NOT; HOOT, TOOT, SHOOT DICE; WITH THE GANG.

Jesse Howard

1973

2017.17.1

I Cried When I Took This Picture

I Cried When I Took This Picture

Weegee

ca. 1937

2005.27.3007

I put my hair up once or twice a week. It's the only way I can get curls in it. When it's combed out, I'm willing to be seen in public.

I put my hair up once or twice a week. It's the only way I can get curls in it. When it's combed out, I'm willing to be seen in public.

Bill Owens

ca. 1972; printed 1998

2007.54.76

I enjoy the suburbs. They provide Girl Scouts, PTA, LIttle League, and soccer for my kids. the thing I miss most is Black cultural identity for my family. White middle-class suburbia can't supply that.

I enjoy the suburbs. They provide Girl Scouts, PTA, LIttle League, and soccer for my kids. the thing I miss most is Black cultural identity for my family. White middle-class suburbia can't supply that.

Bill Owens

ca. 1972; printed 1998

2007.54.24

I believe organized sports make better citizens of children. I have four boys and they all play baseball and soccer. They learn to cooperate with others...and that winning isn't always the most important thing to do.

I believe organized sports make better citizens of children. I have four boys and they all play baseball and soccer. They learn to cooperate with others...and that winning isn't always the most important thing to do.

Bill Owens

ca. 1972; printed 1998

2007.54.74

Maria, 10, with her mother, Natasha, at a nationwide contest held by fashion brand Tommy Hilfiger to find "51 girls who best represent the all-American girl," Beverly Hills, California

Lauren Greenfield

1999; printed 2017

2022.20.44

Basically we are very much alike, the same individual. Our temperaments however are different, we reflect on things differently. My son was raised to think for himself. My father is an ex-army officer, I'm an ex-Marine.

Basically we are very much alike, the same individual. Our temperaments however are different, we reflect on things differently. My son was raised to think for himself. My father is an ex-army officer, I'm an ex-Marine.

Bill Owens

ca. 1972; printed 1998

2007.54.103