Skip to main content

musefully Art News Events

Open source Elasticsearch & Next.js museum search.

Art News Events

"I Was a Lawyer Before I Became a Private Detective..." | musefully

Image Unavailable

Owens, Bill. "I Was a Lawyer Before I Became a Private Detective...", 1976. Gelatin silver print, Sheet: 9 15/16 × 7 15/16in. (25.2 × 20.2 cm) Image: 8 7/16 × 6 7/16in. (21.4 × 16.4 cm). Whitney Museum of American Art, New York; gift of Robert Harshorn Shimshak and Marion Brenner, 2002.81. (Photo: Whitney Museum of American Art)

Whitney Museum of American Art

Whitney Museum of American Art

"I Was a Lawyer Before I Became a Private Detective..."

1976

Bill Owens

Original Source

Maker/Artist: Owens, Bill
Classification: Photographs
Formatted Medium: Gelatin silver print
Medium: gelatin, silver, print
Dimensions: Sheet: 9 15/16 × 7 15/16in. (25.2 × 20.2 cm) Image: 8 7/16 × 6 7/16in. (21.4 × 16.4 cm)
Accession Number: 2002.81
Credit Line: Whitney Museum of American Art, New York; gift of Robert Harshorn Shimshak and Marion Brenner

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