Des Moines Art Center

Bill Owens documented the suburbs in the 1970s, capturing the lives of prosperous, predominantly white Americans at a moment after the cultural shifts of the 1960s but before the dawn of the digital age of computers and video games in the 1980s. His photographs were compiled in the best-selling coffee table books “Leisure” (1972), “Our Kind of People” (1975), and “Working: I Do It For the Money” (1977). The images in this exhibition, taken from all three of these series and shot mainly in California and the Midwest, reveal Owens’ unique comedic eye as he seems to lightly poke fun at his subjects while clearly enjoying their company, finding both the genuine and the absurd in everyday life. The view of America his photography presents is specific and limited to a certain financial, racial, and regional demographic, but in many ways, it also resembles the nostalgic way that era is remembered in pop culture.
Now 50 years old, these scenes will look charmingly familiar to many viewers and blasted from the distant past to others. Owens titled his images with quotes from his subjects, allowing their voices to reach us decades later. Through Owens’ lens, they invite us into their homes, share a day at the office, and take us along to several kinds of parties. These photos allow us all to take a moment and join the fun.
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Bill Owens (American, born 1938)
Karate is a highly competitive sport, like tennis or boxing. It’s on one. For $30 a month a kid can get some good mental and physical training. He can learn coordination, balance, timing and self-defense. Livermore, California, from the “Leisure” series, 1974 (printed 1999)
Gelatin silver print
Des Moines Art Center Permanent Collections: The Jeff Perry Photography Collection given in honor of Myron and Jacqueline Blank, 2024.120

Local Event: "Bill Owens Work and Leisure" on view December 20, 2025 - April 19, 2026

Polk County

Des Moines

Iowa

"Bill Owens Work and Leisure" on view December...

Bill Owens documented the suburbs in the 1970s, capturing the lives of prosperous, predominantly white Americans at a moment...

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"Bill Owens Work and Leisure" on view December 20, 2025 - April 19, 2026

DEC

20

10:00 AM

Des Moines Art Center, 4700 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA