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Transformation "Blue Horse"

African American Museum

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    Object Details

    Created by

    B.K. Adams, American, born 1972

    Caption

    For BK Adams, Blue Horse represents a sense of transformation. He sees the sculpture as emblematic of time, space, and place. It also represents the evolution of transportation over time and into the present. The bicycle, the horse, and the number three are all deeply personal symbols for the artist. However, the bicycle holds particular significance, as during his childhood, he rode his bike off a cliff in a foolhardy attempt at flight. The result of his actions landed the young Adams in the hospital, where he remained in bed for over two months. While in recovery, he turned to drawing as a means of entertaining and expressing himself. Adams cites that specific event as the moment he was transformed into an artist.

    Description

    The work consists of a life-size blue fiberglass sculpture of a horse. The horse's left flank exposes a cavity filled with six (6) yellow bicycle wheels. Attached to the horse's back are a fuchsia pink bicycle seat and handlebars, the handlebars attached at the withers, and the bicycle seat attached at the hindquarters. Painted onto the horse's left hindquarter in white is the number [3], and the horse's left back leg is painted gold. Faux fur is attached to the sculpture in several places, including at the top of the horse's head, the tail, and the proper right front and rear fetlocks, just above the hooves. Black yarn is wrapped around the proper left front and rear fetlocks. The artwork is attached to a self base that has four (4) double wheels, one at each corner.

    Credit Line

    Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of B.K. Adams - I AM ART

    Date

    2009

    Object number

    2012.89

    Restrictions & Rights

    © B.K Adams · I AM ART
    Permission required for use. Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.

    Type

    sculpture
    mixed media

    Medium

    mixed media: fiberglass, artificial resin, burlap, foil, metal, acrylic paint, wood, polyurethane foam, imitation fur, vinyl and yarn

    Dimensions

    H x W x D: 87 × 34 1/2 × 84 in. (221 × 87.6 × 213.4 cm)
    Overall with Weight: 243 lb. (110.2 kg)

    Place made

    Washington, District of Columbia, United States, North and Central America

    See more items in

    National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

    Classification

    Visual Arts

    Data Source

    National Museum of African American History and Culture

    Topic

    African American
    Art
    Local and regional
    Transportation

    Metadata Usage

    CC0

    Link to Original Record

    http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5d52da188-1bc2-4cbc-aa5f-dfca6f7ae4b4

    Record ID

    nmaahc_2012.89

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