Artworks · Bill Owens

Windsurfers. Hampton Bays, Long Island, NY.

1978 · Chromogenic print

20.4 × 25.4 cm (8 × 10 in.)

Art Institute of Chicago

Sunset. Tri-Valley Area, Northern California.

1978 · Chromogenic print

20.4 × 25.4 cm (8 × 10 in.)

Art Institute of Chicago

Grand Canyon

1977 · Chromogenic print

20.4 × 25.4 cm (8 × 10 in.)

Art Institute of Chicago

Diablo Bowlers, Livermore, California

1976 · Gelatin silver print

20.4 × 25.4 cm (8 × 10 in.)

Art Institute of Chicago

Everywhere we go we challenge the local high school team to a game. We let them win. It's all for charity. Points don't count unless you shoot from the back of the donkey. Donkeys are dumb and uncooperative, and they really hate to move. Livermore, California

1976 · Gelatin silver print

20.4 × 25.4 cm (8 × 10 in.)

Art Institute of Chicago

Television cameramen are a special breed. When you read something in a book you say that's someone's opinion. When you see it on TV you say that's gospel. I have one minute, thirty seconds to make a statement., It had to be accurate, it has to be the truth.

1976 · Gelatin silver print

8 × 10" (20.3 × 25.4 cm)

Museum of Modern Art

I can take six months or more of on-the-job training to become a microelectronics assembly technician. Only young people can do this work as your eyes don't last. The circuit I'm working on is part of a guidance system for military aircraft. I ride horses and play tennis to relieve the tension

1976 · gelatin silver print

Image: 15.4 x 20.7 cm (6 1/16 x 8 1/8 in.); Paper: 20.2 x 25.1 cm (7 15/16 x 9 7/8 in.)

Cleveland Museum of Art

Trampoline Park, Livermore, CA

1975 · Chromogenic print

28 × 35.6 cm (11 × 14 in.)

Art Institute of Chicago

Work clothes, Tri-Valley Area, Northern California

1975 · Gelatin silver print

Image: 21 × 16.2 cm (8 1/4 × 6 3/8 in.); Paper: 25.1 × 20.4 cm (9 7/8 × 8 in.)

Art Institute of Chicago

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.

1975 · Gelatin silver print

8 × 10" (20.3 × 25.4 cm)

Museum of Modern Art

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.

1975 · Gelatin silver print

11 × 14" (27.9 × 35.6 cm)

Museum of Modern Art

Untitled

1975 · Gelatin silver print

8 × 10" (20.3 × 25.4 cm)

Museum of Modern Art

Like everyone else, I'm caught up in the rat race. I work eighty hours a week and with my real estate investments earn $100,000 a year. I just got divorced., In the insurance business the public thinks we promise the moon but we can only deliver half a moon.

1975 · Gelatin silver print

8 × 10" (20.3 × 25.4 cm)

Museum of Modern Art

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.

1975 · Gelatin silver print

8 × 10" (20.3 × 25.4 cm)

Museum of Modern Art

Nude movie shoot around campfire on beach, Tri-Valley Area, Northern California

1974 · Gelatin silver print

20.4 × 25.4 cm (8 × 10 in.)

Art Institute of Chicago

Legs and grinder, Tri-Valley Area, Northern California

1974 · Gelatin silver print

Image: 21.3 × 16.9 cm (8 3/8 × 6 5/8 in.); Paper: 25.1 × 20.4 cm (9 7/8 × 8 in.)

Art Institute of Chicago

General Motors / Chevrolet Assembly Line, Freemont, California

1974 · Gelatin silver print

Image: 21.3 × 16.9 cm (8 3/8 × 6 5/8 in.); Paper: 25.1 × 20.4 cm (9 7/8 × 8 in.)

Art Institute of Chicago

House Painter, Tri-Valley Area, Northern California

1974 · gelatin silver print

Image: 17.7 x 14.5 cm (6 15/16 x 5 11/16 in.); Paper: 25.2 x 20.1 cm (9 15/16 x 7 15/16 in.)

Cleveland Museum of Art

Electronics Technician, Tri-Valley Area, Northern California

1974 · gelatin silver print

Image: 16.2 x 20.7 cm (6 3/8 x 8 1/8 in.); Paper: 20.1 x 25.2 cm (7 15/16 x 9 15/16 in.)

Cleveland Museum of Art

Junior Livestock auction, Tri-Valley Area, Northern California

1973 · Gelatin silver print

20.4 × 25.4 cm (8 × 10 in.)

Art Institute of Chicago

Mardi Gras is an annual fund-raising event staged by the Pleasanton Juniors. King and Queen Candidates hold moneymaking events and the candidate who raises the most money wins., Last year we raised $12,800 for the senior citizens' transportation system and $1,000 for youth counseling programs. The climax is the Mardi Gras Ball. Over 500 people come to drink, eat, dance and celebrate the coronation.

1973 · Gelatin silver print

8 × 10" (20.3 × 25.4 cm)

Museum of Modern Art

Untitled

1973 · Gelatin silver print

8 × 10" (20.3 × 25.4 cm)

Museum of Modern Art

Senior pool player

1972 · Gelatin silver print

20.4 × 25.4 cm (8 × 10 in.)

Art Institute of Chicago

The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks (B.P.O.E.) is the largest fraternal organization in the world. The elk was chose in 1868 because it is distinguished, fleet of foot and timorous of wrongdoing. Our four cardinal principles are Charity, Justice, Fidelity and Brotherly Love. An Elk today is an American gentleman. (Kiss) Livermore, California

1972 · Gelatin silver print

20.4 × 25.4 cm (8 × 10 in.)

Art Institute of Chicago

We really enjoy living in a mobile home. My hobby is collecting coins and my wife plays her Wurlitzer for entertainment.

1972 · Gelatin silver print

8 × 10" (20.3 × 25.4 cm)

Museum of Modern Art

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.

1972 · Gelatin silver print

11 × 14" (27.9 × 35.6 cm)

Museum of Modern Art

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.

1972 · Gelatin silver print

14 × 11" (35.6 × 27.9 cm)

Museum of Modern Art

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.

1972 · Gelatin silver print

11 × 14" (27.9 × 35.6 cm)

Museum of Modern Art

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.

1972 · Gelatin silver print

11 × 14" (27.9 × 35.6 cm)

Museum of Modern Art

We're really happy. Our kids are healthy, we eat good food, and we have a really nice home.

1972 · Gelatin silver print

8 1/16 × 9 15/16" (20.4 × 25.3 cm)

Museum of Modern Art

Ronald Regan

1972 · Gelatin silver print

8 × 10" (20.3 × 25.4 cm)

Museum of Modern Art

I really love him.

1971 · Gelatin silver print

28 × 35.6 cm (11 × 14 in.)

Art Institute of Chicago

Untitled (Dirty dishes)

1971 · Gelatin silver print

28 × 35.6 cm (11 × 14 in.)

Art Institute of Chicago

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.

1971 · Gelatin silver print

28 × 35.6 cm (11 × 14 in.)

Art Institute of Chicago

We really enjoy getting together with our friends to drink and dance. It's a wild party and we're having a great time.

1971 · Gelatin silver print

Image: 6 × 8 7/8" (15.2 × 22.5 cm)

Museum of Modern Art

Some days when there is no one to play with I build Glenn a tent play house out of two chairs and two blankets.

1971 · Gelatin silver print

8 × 10" (20.3 × 25.4 cm)

Museum of Modern Art

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.

1971 · Gelatin silver print

11 × 14" (27.9 × 35.6 cm)

Museum of Modern Art

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.

1971 · Gelatin silver print

14 × 11" (35.6 × 27.9 cm)

Museum of Modern Art

Untitled (Neighborhood street scene)

1970 · Gelatin silver print

28 × 35.6 cm (11 × 14 in.)

Art Institute of Chicago

Untitled

1970 · Gelatin silver print

8 × 10" (20.3 × 25.4 cm)

Museum of Modern Art

Val Vista Homeowners Association Community Meeting, Tri- Valley Area, Northern California

1969 · Gelatin silver print

20.4 × 25.4 cm (8 × 10 in.)

Art Institute of Chicago

Tupperware, Bee Line Fashions, Lingerie, Wigs and now House Plant Parties have become popular. Everyone wants to have a fern in their front room, but more important they want to know how to take care of a plant that costs $20.00. Tri-Valley Area, Northern California

1969 · Gelatin silver print

20.4 × 25.4 cm (8 × 10 in.)

Art Institute of Chicago

Tupperware, Bee Line Fashions, lingerie, wigs and now house plant parties have become popular. Everyone wants to have a fern in their front room, but more important they want to know how to take care of a plant that costs $20.00. Tri-Valley Area, Northern California

1969 · gelatin silver print

Image: 16.8 x 21.5 cm (6 5/8 x 8 7/16 in.); Paper: 20.2 x 25.2 cm (7 15/16 x 9 15/16 in.)

Cleveland Museum of Art

Girl Scout Troop 832 Ceremony, Tri-Valley Area, Northern California

1969 · gelatin silver print

Image: 14.1 x 20.9 cm (5 9/16 x 8 1/4 in.); Paper: 20.1 x 25.2 cm (7 15/16 x 9 15/16 in.)

Cleveland Museum of Art

Kids with Thanksgiving Hats, Tri-Valley Area, Northern California

1969 · gelatin silver print

Image: 16.4 x 24.1 cm (6 7/16 x 9 1/2 in.); Paper: 20.2 x 25.3 cm (7 15/16 x 9 15/16 in.)

Cleveland Museum of Art

"All in all, painting outdoors was a joyful experience for both artists in this exhibit. The preview was held at the State Savings and Loan Company office." Tri-Valley Area, Northern California

1969 · gelatin silver print

Image: 16.2 x 21.5 cm (6 3/8 x 8 7/16 in.); Paper: 20.1 x 25.3 cm (7 15/16 x 9 15/16 in.)

Cleveland Museum of Art