Owens, Bill. On our commune everyone has to work. We chase off the freeloaders. The commune has to make money. It has to be a business, then it can grow. The government isn't going to take care of you. You have to band together to help each other. Taos, New Mexico, 1976. gelatin silver print, Image: 17 x 20.8 cm (6 11/16 x 8 3/16 in.); Paper: 20.1 x 25.2 cm (7 15/16 x 9 15/16 in.). Gift of George Stephanopoulos, 2016.504. Copyrighted.

On our commune everyone has to work. We chase off the freeloaders. The commune has to make money. It has to be a business, then it can grow. The government isn't going to take care of you. You have to band together to help each other. Taos, New Mexico

1976

Bill Owens

Bill Owens (American, b. 1938)

Photography

Working: On our commune everyone has to work. We chase off the freeloaders. The commune has to make money. It has to be a business, then it can grow. The government isn't going to take care of you. You have to band together to help each other. Taos, New Mexico, 1976. Bill Owens (American, b. 1938). Gelatin silver print; image: 17 x 20.8 cm (6 11/16 x 8 3/16 in.); paper: 20.1 x 25.2 cm (7 15/16 x 9 15/16 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Gift of George Stephanopoulos 2016.504

Original Source

Maker/Artist: Owens, Bill
Classification: Photograph
Formatted Medium: gelatin silver print
Medium: gelatin, silver, print
Dimensions: Image: 17 x 20.8 cm (6 11/16 x 8 3/16 in.); Paper: 20.1 x 25.2 cm (7 15/16 x 9 15/16 in.)
Inscribed: Inscription: Written in pencil on verso: “Bill Owens (signed)” Written in pencil on verso: “V0301/5000” Written in black marker on verso: “TAOS 12 B”
Departments: Photography
Accession Number: 2016.504
Credit Line: Gift of George Stephanopoulos
Rights Statement: Copyrighted

Have a concern, a correction, or something to add?

Similar Artworks

MoMA

Photo of collection object I find a sense of freedom in the suburbs…. You assume the mask of suburbia for outward appearances and yet no one knows what you really do.

I find a sense of freedom in the suburbs…. You assume the mask of suburbia for outward appearances and yet no one knows what you really do.

Bill Owens

1971

MoMA

Photo of collection object It's a great pleasure to watch yourself make love in the six dozen mirrors that line the ceilings and walls. I've spent a tremendous amount of thought and planning to get the total effect of the bedroom., It's fascinating to watch our friends' reactions to seeing the luxury and sensuousness of the room. Our bedroom is the most enjoyable room in the house.

It's a great pleasure to watch yourself make love in the six dozen mirrors that line the ceilings and walls. I've spent a tremendous amount of thought and planning to get the total effect of the bedroom., It's fascinating to watch our friends' reactions to seeing the luxury and sensuousness of the room. Our bedroom is the most enjoyable room in the house.

Bill Owens

1972

MoMA

Photo of collection object We feel most people have the wrong attitude about sex, that it's nasty and to be only in the dark. With us sex takes care of itself.

We feel most people have the wrong attitude about sex, that it's nasty and to be only in the dark. With us sex takes care of itself.

Bill Owens

1971

MoMA

Photo of collection object I get a lot of compliments on the front room wall. I like Italian Syrocco floral designs over the mantle. It goes with the Palos Verde rock fireplace.

I get a lot of compliments on the front room wall. I like Italian Syrocco floral designs over the mantle. It goes with the Palos Verde rock fireplace.

Bill Owens

1972

MoMA

Photo of collection object I believe in women's liberation. I'm tired of the image of the women who has the most sanitary toilet bowl, the cleanest floor, and the brattiest kids as the supermother., I want to be able to change with my children and to change with my life as I grow older. Staying at home and taking care of the kids doesn't help.

I believe in women's liberation. I'm tired of the image of the women who has the most sanitary toilet bowl, the cleanest floor, and the brattiest kids as the supermother., I want to be able to change with my children and to change with my life as I grow older. Staying at home and taking care of the kids doesn't help.

Bill Owens

1972

MoMA

Photo of collection object A lot of people say we're chunks of meat, like cattle, but we're not. We're all individuals with dreams and aspirations like everybody else. Being a beauty contestant has taught me about myself, other people, poise and public speaking., If I had it to do over again, I would.

A lot of people say we're chunks of meat, like cattle, but we're not. We're all individuals with dreams and aspirations like everybody else. Being a beauty contestant has taught me about myself, other people, poise and public speaking., If I had it to do over again, I would.

Bill Owens

1972

MoMA

Photo of collection object I've been a chiropractor for thirty-three years, working directly and indirectly with nerves through the spinal column. I'm thinking of retiring in a couple of years and going into worm farming. Worms are an asset to society.

I've been a chiropractor for thirty-three years, working directly and indirectly with nerves through the spinal column. I'm thinking of retiring in a couple of years and going into worm farming. Worms are an asset to society.

Bill Owens

1975-77

MoMA

Photo of collection object Some days when there is no one to play with I build Glenn a tent play house out of two chairs and two blankets.

Some days when there is no one to play with I build Glenn a tent play house out of two chairs and two blankets.

Bill Owens

1971

MoMA

Photo of collection object 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

1972

MoMA

Photo of collection object 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

1971

MoMA

Photo of collection object I really enjoy being here because it's my pleasure to help people. They'd have to fire me before I'd quit. I know I'm loved and vice versa.

I really enjoy being here because it's my pleasure to help people. They'd have to fire me before I'd quit. I know I'm loved and vice versa.

Bill Owens

1975

MoMA

Photo of collection object I've been a UPI correspondent, a publicist for an Italian film producer, a writer for the U.S. Army, a public relations man and an operations manager for record stores. Now I'm promotion and marketing director for a newspaper chain., Within a year, I'll be off to Turkey. It will be a jumping-off place. The world will be my oyster.

I've been a UPI correspondent, a publicist for an Italian film producer, a writer for the U.S. Army, a public relations man and an operations manager for record stores. Now I'm promotion and marketing director for a newspaper chain., Within a year, I'll be off to Turkey. It will be a jumping-off place. The world will be my oyster.

Bill Owens

1975

Open source Elasticsearch & Next.js museum search.

Let's Stay Connected