Clamdigger, Bronze sculpture at Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Washington DC, United States.
Clamdigger is a bronze figure standing nearly 60 inches tall, showing a person seeming to emerge from textured surfaces and raw material forms. The surface appears deliberately rough and molded, as if rising from the creative process itself.
Willem de Kooning created this bronze sculpture in 1972 while living in East Hampton, turning from abstract painting toward three-dimensional work. This piece marks a turning point in his artistic journey during that phase of his career.
The work draws from East Hampton traditions and depicts the labor of people who harvested clams along Atlantic shores. It connects visitors to the skilled work of these coastal communities.
You can view this work at the Hirshhorn Museum as part of its permanent collection, one of several editions and artist proofs. Being outdoors, it appears different depending on the time of day and lighting conditions.
De Kooning used an unusual method when making the work, sculpting the clay form with closed eyes to rely entirely on touch. This direct physical approach gave the piece its distinctive character.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
