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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.

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.

Portfolio TitleSuburbia
Artist Bill Owens (American, born 1938)
Dateca. 1972; printed 1998
MediumGelatin silver print
DimensionsUnframed: 10 x 8 inches (25.4 x 20.32 cm)
Credit LineGift of Robert Koch in honor of the 75th anniversary of The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
Object number2007.54.103
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
DescriptionTwo men, one with an arm around the other, standing next to one another outside suburban house.
Portfolio; These prints were made in 1998 at the time of the publication of a new (expanded) edition of the original Suburbia book.
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.


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
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.
Bill Owens
ca. 1972; printed 1998
2007.54.16
Kemal Pasha (Ataturk), dictator of Turkey does four things at the same time: holds cup of strong Turkish coffee, cigarette, also glass of brandy and looks at my pictures, Ankara, Turkey
Kemal Pasha (Ataturk), dictator of Turkey does four things at the same time: holds cup of strong Turkish coffee, cigarette, also glass of brandy and looks at my pictures, Ankara, Turkey
Alfred Eisenstaedt
1934
2016.75.66.45
We enjoy having these things.
We enjoy having these things.
Bill Owens
ca. 1972; printed 1998
2007.54.15
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
John Russell Thinks Things Are Getting Better for Women Artists
John Russell Thinks Things Are Getting Better for Women Artists
Guerrilla Girls
1985
2018.39.5
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
People throw away a lot of good things: clothes, toys, broken toasters, record players, and in the newer areas they throw out tables and chairs that don't fit in their new house. The ecology movement doesn't matter.
People throw away a lot of good things: clothes, toys, broken toasters, record players, and in the newer areas they throw out tables and chairs that don't fit in their new house. The ecology movement doesn't matter.
Bill Owens
ca. 1972; printed 1998
2007.54.8
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
Todd Bolender in Balanchine's Ballet, The Four Temperaments
Todd Bolender in Balanchine's Ballet, The Four Temperaments
Carl Van Vechten
1947
2009.24.2
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