Wood Carving of Whales and Fish

Anacostia Community Museum
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Object Details

Artist
Ira Blount
Caption
Four whales surrounded by a school of fish swim along the seaweed-covered ocean floor in this wood carving. By creating different textures and finishes, artist Ira Blount (1918-2020) evokes the whales’ slick skin and the murky sand beneath the seaweed. Blount expressed hope that audiences would feel uplifted after observing his works. The details in this carving transport the viewer to an underwater world where they can experience the tranquility and grandeur of the ocean.
After moving to Washington, DC following World War II, Blount mastered dozens of artisanal crafts. His love for crafting, learning, and community engagement would endure over the course of his long life and career.
Cite As
Gift of Ira Blount
1982
Accession Number
2011.0004.0019
Restrictions & Rights
CC0
Type
woodwork
Medium
wood, leather
Dimensions
6 3/4 × 28 × 3/4 in. (17.1 × 71.1 × 1.9 cm)
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Anacostia Community Museum Collection
Anacostia Community Museum
Record ID
acm_2011.0004.0019
Metadata Usage (text)
CC0
GUID (Link to Original Record)
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/dl8c02a01ab-375d-40bb-b4db-46ad6da65ce3
This image is in the public domain (free of copyright restrictions). You can copy, modify, and distribute this work without contacting the Smithsonian. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Open Access page.
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