Object Details
Artist
Irvin Tepper, born St. Louis, MO 1947
Luce Center Label
Irvin Tepper's interest in teacups began with drawings made in 1975, which eventually led to porcelain pieces. In the Late Afternoon. . .We Talk Poetry is from a series the artist began in 1998, Tears for the Twentieth Century. His teacups are symbols of human interaction, objects that have witnessed many private conversations. The artist presents two cracked and broken cups in this sculpture to create a sense of age and wear and tear resulting from listening to so many conversations.
Luce Object Quote
"Entire groups of dysfunctional cups are being stacked and arranged, creating a sensation of emotion out of control. A frozen moment of destruction, much like the power of an earthquake or explosion." Artist's statement, The Sybaris Gallery, September 1997
Credit Line
Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase made possible by Ralph Cross Johnson
Date
1998
Object number
2001.34
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
Type
Decorative Arts-Ceramic
Crafts
Medium
porcelain
Dimensions
11 x 9 x 8 in. (27.9 x 22.9 x 20.3 cm)
See more items in
Smithsonian American Art Museum Collection
Department
Renwick Gallery
On View
Smithsonian American Art Museum, Luce Foundation Center, 4th Floor, 54A
Smithsonian American Art Museum, Luce Foundation Center
Smithsonian American Art Museum, Luce Foundation Center, 4th Floor
Data Source
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Topic
Object\other\dish
Link to Original Record
Record ID
saam_2001.34