The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of July 9, 2026

A horizontally oriented black-and-white photograph depicts a man with light skin tone in profile, facing our right. He wears glasses, dark coveralls, and a light-colored apron. Reaching toward a control box, he operates a large machine as a bright burst of white sparks erupts, radiating in thin lines. This intense light catches the edges of three circular gauges above, while deep shadows define the machine's geometric forms and his clothing.

Machine Sparks, Tri-Valley Area, Northern California

1974–1976

Bill Owens

(American, b. 1938)
America
gelatin silver print
Image: 16.2 x 20.4 cm (6 3/8 x 8 1/16 in.)
Gift of George Stephanopoulos 2018.421
Location: Not on view
  • {{cite web|title=Machine Sparks, Tri-Valley Area, Northern California|url=false|author=Bill Owens|year=1974–1976|access-date=09 July 2026|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/2018.421