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Our house is built with the living room in the back, so in the evenings we sit out front of the garage and watch the traffic go by.
Our house is built with the living room in the back, so in the evenings we sit out front of the garage and watch the traffic go by.

Our house is built with the living room in the back, so in the evenings we sit out front of the garage and watch the traffic go by.

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 number2007.54.113
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, woman, and young boy relaxing in driveway.
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 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
The California garage today, out of necessity, requires that you move the cars out and the tools in. To a point I enjoy working in the garage, but I'd rather be doing something else.
The California garage today, out of necessity, requires that you move the cars out and the tools in. To a point I enjoy working in the garage, but I'd rather be doing something else.
Bill Owens
ca. 1972; printed 1998
2007.54.18
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
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
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
This is our outdoor garage sale...last minute kids' items for Christmas shoppers.
This is our outdoor garage sale...last minute kids' items for Christmas shoppers.
Bill Owens
ca. 1972; printed 1998
2007.54.17
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
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.
Bill Owens
ca. 1972; printed 1998
2007.54.33
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
We're home three weekends a year. Our camper is our real home. Being a member of the National Campers and Hikers Association gives our family the opportunity and the enjoyment of getting out of town every weekend...
We're home three weekends a year. Our camper is our real home. Being a member of the National Campers and Hikers Association gives our family the opportunity and the enjoyment of getting out of town every weekend...
Bill Owens
ca. 1972; printed 1998
2007.54.19