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We're really happy. Our kids are healthy, we eat good food, and we have a really nice home.
We're really happy. Our kids are healthy, we eat good food, and we have a really nice home.

We're really happy. Our kids are healthy, we eat good food, and we have a really nice home.

Portfolio TitleSuburbia
Artist Bill Owens (American, born 1938)
Dateca. 1972; printed 1998
MediumGelatin silver print
DimensionsUnframed: 8 x 10 inches (20.32 x 25.4 cm)
Credit LineGift of Robert Koch in honor of the 75th anniversary of The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
Object number2007.54.33
SignedVerso: artist's signature in pencil; photographer's stamp: "Copyright Bill Owens/ Publishers Copy/ Printed 1998"
Edition/State/Proofed. 1/5
On View
Not on view
Collections
DescriptionMan and woman standing and smiling in kitchen; woman feeding baby.
Portfolio; These prints were made in 1998 at the time of the publication of a new (expanded) edition of the original Suburbia book.Exhibition History

Magnificent Gifts for the 75th. The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City, MO, February 13 - April 4, 2010, no cat.

Rotation 10. The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City, MO, March 19 – September 11, 2011, no cat.

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.


Because we live in the suburbs we don't eat too much Chinese food. It's not available in the supermarkets so on Saturday we eat hot dogs.
Because we live in the suburbs we don't eat too much Chinese food. It's not available in the supermarkets so on Saturday we eat hot dogs.
Bill Owens
ca. 1972; printed 1998
2007.54.26
We really enjoy getting together with our friends to drink and dance. It's a wild party and we're having a great time.
We really enjoy getting together with our friends to drink and dance. It's a wild party and we're having a great time.
Bill Owens
ca. 1972; printed 1998
2007.54.84
We really enjoy living in a mobile home. My hobby is collecting coins and my wife plays her Wurlitzer for entertainment.
We really enjoy living in a mobile home. My hobby is collecting coins and my wife plays her Wurlitzer for entertainment.
Bill Owens
ca. 1972; printed 1998
2007.54.23
This isn't what we really want-the tract house, the super car, etc....But as long as we are wound up in this high speed environment, we will probably never get out of it!
This isn't what we really want-the tract house, the super car, etc....But as long as we are wound up in this high speed environment, we will probably never get out of it!
Bill Owens
ca. 1972; printed 1998
2007.54.20
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
I enjoy giving a Tupperware party in my home. It gives me a chance to talk to my friends. But really, Tupperware is a homemaker's dream, you save time and money because your food keeps longer.
I enjoy giving a Tupperware party in my home. It gives me a chance to talk to my friends. But really, Tupperware is a homemaker's dream, you save time and money because your food keeps longer.
Bill Owens
ca. 1972; printed 1998
2007.54.35
We lived in our house for a year without any living room furniture. We wanted to furnish the room with things we loved, not early attic or leftovers. Now we have everything but the pictures and the lamps. (#2 of 2-part diptych)
We lived in our house for a year without any living room furniture. We wanted to furnish the room with things we loved, not early attic or leftovers. Now we have everything but the pictures and the lamps. (#2 of 2-part diptych)
Bill Owens
ca. 1972; printed 1998
2007.54.52
We lived in our house for a year without any living room furniture. We wanted to furnish the room with things we loved, not early attic or leftovers. Now we have everything but the pictures and the lamps. (#1 of 2-part diptych)
We lived in our house for a year without any living room furniture. We wanted to furnish the room with things we loved, not early attic or leftovers. Now we have everything but the pictures and the lamps. (#1 of 2-part diptych)
Bill Owens
ca. 1972; printed 1998
2007.54.53
Tuo-Tuo, our dog, is a very expensive household pet. It costs 30¢ a day to feed him-that's $109 a year-and $13 a month to have him groomed-that's $155 a year-not including the vet bill. We spend over $350 a year, but we don't care. We love him.
Tuo-Tuo, our dog, is a very expensive household pet. It costs 30¢ a day to feed him-that's $109 a year-and $13 a month to have him groomed-that's $155 a year-not including the vet bill. We spend over $350 a year, but we don't care. We love him.
Bill Owens
ca. 1972; printed 1998
2007.54.14
I love to cook. Meal time is the only time the family is together. In spite of my modern kitchen, cooking dinner for six takes two hours. Then the kids inhale the food in minutes.
I love to cook. Meal time is the only time the family is together. In spite of my modern kitchen, cooking dinner for six takes two hours. Then the kids inhale the food in minutes.
Bill Owens
ca. 1972; printed 1998
2007.54.25
Before the dissolution of our marriage my husband and I owned a bar. One day a toilet broke and we brought it home.
Before the dissolution of our marriage my husband and I owned a bar. One day a toilet broke and we brought it home.
Bill Owens
ca. 1972; printed 1998
2007.54.87
Togetherness really exists in our family. My daughter and I operate the lunch room at the Valley Inn. My sons work part-time with their dad, hanging sheet-rock. And my eldest two sons work at the Gulf gas station on P St.
Togetherness really exists in our family. My daughter and I operate the lunch room at the Valley Inn. My sons work part-time with their dad, hanging sheet-rock. And my eldest two sons work at the Gulf gas station on P St.
Bill Owens
ca. 1972; printed 1998
2007.54.48