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William Dawson carved stacks of faces from old table and chair legs before he even knew what a totem pole was. These pieces show his distinctive carved faces, with wide, staring eyes painted a stark white against different colored backgrounds. He made totems in a variety of heights depending on the piece of wood, and they can reach up to four feet.

Credit: Gift of David L. Davies

1978
Carved and painted wood, metal, and plastic
95.9 x 25.6 x 27.0 cm
1992.37.9A-B
Image and text: Smithsonian American Art Museum, 2024

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