image of a hammerhead shark lying on piece of land; body of water in washy red pigment on L, with mountains in the background; red sky that gradates to blue at horizon line, with black diagonal scribbles throughout; red building on the R, with two palm trees at entrance; boat in CR; anchor in ULC

Untitled (Hammerhead Shark), 1974

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On View in Gallery 353expand_more

H. C. Westermann was an inventive sculptor who also made hundreds of drawings and prints, constantly firing off creative sparks on paper. His formative experiences as a U.S. Marine during World War II and the Korean War were harrowing and devastating. They fueled the content of his work for much of his life. His drawings often include a mixture of humor and dread, painful memories of his war experiences, and riff colorfully on tattoo imagery. This watercolor of a stranded hammerhead shark seems to reference the terrifying experiences Westermann had on battleships during combat. After a devastating strike, some of his peers fell into the ocean and were attacked by sharks while waiting for rescue.

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Details
Title
Untitled (Hammerhead Shark)
Artist Life
1922 - 1981
Role
Artist
Accession Number
2021.87.2
Curator Approved

This record is from historic documentation and may not have been reviewed by a curator, so may be inaccurate or incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.

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image of a hammerhead shark lying on piece of land; body of water in washy red pigment on L, with mountains in the background; red sky that gradates to blue at horizon line, with black diagonal scribbles throughout; red building on the R, with two palm trees at entrance; boat in CR; anchor in ULC
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