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Bill Owens

Artist Info

USA, född 1938

Bill Owens är född 1938 i San José, Kalifornien. Efter att ha lämnat college lärde han sig fotografera på egen hand. Då han efter en tid utomlands återvände till Kalifornien fick Owens arbete som bildjournalist vid Livermore Independent. När många fotografer gav sig ut för att skildra de sociala miljöerna i städerna kom Owens istället att bli uttolkare av det amerikanska medelklasslivet i de idylliska förorterna. Bilderna ställdes samman i debutboken Suburbia (1972) och serien visades bland annat på Museum of Modern Art i New York. Ofta tycks bilderna parodiera den materialistiska tillvaron, men Owens förhållande till denna amerikanska dröm än mer komplicerat.

Filter and sort

Basically we are very much alike, the same individual. Our temperaments however are different, we reflect on things differently

Basically we are very much alike, the same individual. Our temperaments however are different, we reflect on things differently

Bill Owens

1973/1978

FM 1978 032 023

Because we live in the suburbs we don't eat too much Chinese food. It's not available in the supermarkets so on Saturday we eat hot dogs. From the series Suburbia

Because we live in the suburbs we don't eat too much Chinese food. It's not available in the supermarkets so on Saturday we eat hot dogs. From the series Suburbia

Bill Owens

1968-1972/1978

FM 1978 032 015

The best way to help your city government and have fun is to come out on a Saturday morning and pull weeds in a median strip. Ur serien Suburbia

The best way to help your city government and have fun is to come out on a Saturday morning and pull weeds in a median strip. Ur serien Suburbia

Bill Owens

1968-1972/1978

FM 1978 032 012

Bill Owens' family and his in-laws

Bill Owens' family and his in-laws

Bill Owens

1968-1972/1978

FM 1978 032 009

Cleo and James Pruden

Cleo and James Pruden

Bill Owens

1968-1972/1978

FM 1978 032 019

The furniture is worn out. Don and Tom have grown up and soon will leave for college. Pat will have to cook for two.

The furniture is worn out. Don and Tom have grown up and soon will leave for college. Pat will have to cook for two.

Bill Owens

1968-1972/1978

FM 1978 032 006

I believe organized sports make better citizens of children. I have four boys and they all play baseball and soccer. They learn to cooperate with others...and that winning isn't always the important thing to do.

I believe organized sports make better citizens of children. I have four boys and they all play baseball and soccer. They learn to cooperate with others...and that winning isn't always the important thing to do.

Bill Owens

1968-1972/1978

FM 1978 032 001

I bought the lawn in six-foot rolls. It's easy to handle. I prepard the ground and my wife and son helped roll out the grass. In one day you have a front yard. From the series Suburbia

I bought the lawn in six-foot rolls. It's easy to handle. I prepard the ground and my wife and son helped roll out the grass. In one day you have a front yard. From the series Suburbia

Bill Owens

1972/1978

FM 1978 032 018

I don't feel that Richie playing with guns will have a negative effect on his personality (he already wants to be a policeman). From the series Suburbia

I don't feel that Richie playing with guns will have a negative effect on his personality (he already wants to be a policeman). From the series Suburbia

Bill Owens

1971/1978

FM 1978 032 008

I enjoy cooking, dogs, cats, kids, soccer, and living here. From the series Suburbia

I enjoy cooking, dogs, cats, kids, soccer, and living here. From the series Suburbia

Bill Owens

1972/1978

FM 1978 032 020

I enjoy giving a Tupperware party in my home. It gives me a chance to talk to my friends. But really, Tupperware is a homemaker's dream, you save time and money because your food keeps longer. From the series Suburbia

I enjoy giving a Tupperware party in my home. It gives me a chance to talk to my friends. But really, Tupperware is a homemaker's dream, you save time and money because your food keeps longer. From the series Suburbia

Bill Owens

1971/1978

FM 1978 032 005

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

1968-1972/1978

FM 1978 032 003

I put my hair up once or twice a week. It's the only way I can get curls in it. When it's combed out, I'm willing to be seen in public.

I put my hair up once or twice a week. It's the only way I can get curls in it. When it's combed out, I'm willing to be seen in public.

Bill Owens

1971/1978

FM 1978 032 010

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. From the series Suburbia

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. From the series Suburbia

Bill Owens

1968-1972/1978

FM 1978 032 026

It's hard to hunt because you're always trespassing all the housing developments which are taking over the open fields. Since there are more people and more houses, the game is moving further out. From the series Suburbia

It's hard to hunt because you're always trespassing all the housing developments which are taking over the open fields. Since there are more people and more houses, the game is moving further out. From the series Suburbia

Bill Owens

1972/1978

FM 1978 032 014

I wanted Christina to learn some responsibility for cleaning her room, but it didn't work. Ur serien Suburbia

I wanted Christina to learn some responsibility for cleaning her room, but it didn't work. Ur serien Suburbia

Bill Owens

1968-1972/1978

FM 1978 032 032

I went to Chabot Junior College and now I'm a certified chairside dental assistant. I want to work a couple of years before getting married because the number of good marriages I know I can count on two fingers

I went to Chabot Junior College and now I'm a certified chairside dental assistant. I want to work a couple of years before getting married because the number of good marriages I know I can count on two fingers

Bill Owens

1968-1972/1978

FM 1978 032 035

Bill Owens

1968-1972/1978

FM 1978 032 002

Bill Owens

1968-1972/1978

FM 1978 032 016

Last year I got 4 pounds of candy. 72 jelly beans, 67 candy corns, 26 Tootsie Rolls, 18 Tootsie Pops, 21 licorice sticks, 15 jaw breakers, 14 bubble gums, 11 packs of gum, 10 Baby Ruth bars...

Last year I got 4 pounds of candy. 72 jelly beans, 67 candy corns, 26 Tootsie Rolls, 18 Tootsie Pops, 21 licorice sticks, 15 jaw breakers, 14 bubble gums, 11 packs of gum, 10 Baby Ruth bars...

Bill Owens

1968-1972/1978

FM 1978 032 029

Livermor Amador Valley

Livermor Amador Valley

Bill Owens

1968-1972/1978

FM 1978 032 033

My dad thinks it's a good idea to take all the leaves off the tree and rake up the yard. I think he's crazy.

My dad thinks it's a good idea to take all the leaves off the tree and rake up the yard. I think he's crazy.

Bill Owens

1968-1972/1978

FM 1978 032 017

My hobby is drinking. On the weekends I enjoy getting together with my friends and boozing

My hobby is drinking. On the weekends I enjoy getting together with my friends and boozing

Bill Owens

1973/1978

FM 1978 032 036

My husband, Pat, has a theory about watering our newly seeded lawn. The water has to trinkle from heaven and fall like tender little raindrops...Otherwise the lawn won't grow properly. Ur serien "Suburbia"

My husband, Pat, has a theory about watering our newly seeded lawn. The water has to trinkle from heaven and fall like tender little raindrops...Otherwise the lawn won't grow properly. Ur serien "Suburbia"

Bill Owens

1968-1972/1978

FM 1978 032 042