Mel Bochner, born in 1940 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is a seminal figure in the development of Conceptual Art in New York during the 1960s and 1970s. His work is characterized by an exploration of language, space, and measurement, which has significantly influenced the trajectory of contemporary art. Bochner's early life in Pittsburgh was steeped in the arts, thanks in part to his father, a sign painter, who inadvertently introduced him to the visual language of lettering and typography. His talent in drawing was recognized early on, leading him to attend the Tam O'Shanter art classes at the Carnegie Museum of Art. Despite his father's hopes for him to pursue a more conventional career, Bochner's passion for art prevailed, and he went on to study at the Carnegie Institute of Technology, now known as Carnegie Mellon University, where he received his BFA in 1962. After a brief stint studying philosophy at Northwestern University near Chicago, Bochner moved to New York City in 1964. His arrival in New York coincided with the burgeoning movements of Minimalism and Conceptual Art. He worked as a guard at The Jewish Museum, where he rubbed shoulders with other artists who would later become prominent figures in the art world. In 1966, Bochner made a significant mark on the art scene with his groundbreaking exhibition "Working Drawings and Other Visible Things on Paper Not Necessarily Meant to Be Viewed as Art" at the School of Visual Arts in New York City. This exhibition, which featured photocopied working drawings from his circle of artist friends, is often cited as one of the first instances of Conceptual Art. The show included contributions from artists such as Donald Judd, Robert Smithson, Eva Hesse, and Sol LeWitt, among others. Bochner's work from this period dissected the components of language and art, revealing the dependency on words as descriptors of visual experiences. His 1969 piece "Language Is Not Transparent" underscored the physical manifestation of words and their impact on the observation and apprehension of art. This work exemplified his belief that language shapes perception and meaning, a theme that has remained central throughout his career. Throughout the 1970s, Bochner continued to challenge the boundaries of painting by incorporating words, numbers, and diagrams directly onto the canvas. His "Thesaurus" series, which began in the late 1960s, featured lists of synonyms that created visual and conceptual associations between words. This series exemplified his interest in the interplay between language, thought, and perception. Bochner's teaching career, notably at Yale University from 1979 to 2001, also left a lasting impact on the art world. As a senior critic in painting and printmaking, he shared his extensive knowledge and passion for art with aspiring artists. In the late 1970s, Bochner began making paintings, and his work ranged from colorful pieces containing words to those more closely connected to Conceptual Art. His paintings often disrupt conventional understanding, introducing new ways of engaging with the medium. His approach to painting expanded the possibilities of artistic expression by redefining the boundaries of the medium. Bochner's contributions to art have been recognized with numerous accolades, including the prestigious Guggenheim Fellowship in 1973. His work has been exhibited extensively both nationally and internationally and is included in major public and private collections, such as the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the National Gallery of Art in Washington D.C., and Tate in London. In recent years, Bochner has continued to develop his conceptual practice alongside a painterly practice that investigates the relationship between form and meaning in the visual manifestation of language. His "Blah Blah Blah" series and other text-based works play with the sincerity of conceptual art, often incorporating humor and a critical examination of public speech. Bochner's legacy is that of an artist who has consistently pushed the boundaries of art, questioning the role of language and challenging viewers to consider the complex relationship between words, meaning, and visual experience. His work remains a testament to the power of conceptual exploration and its enduring influence on contemporary art.

Mel Bochner Quotes and Sales of Works

Ponti Art Gallery selects and deals with paintings by the artist. Upon request, we provide free estimates and evaluations, communicate prices, quotations, and current market values.

If you are interested in BUYING or SELLING works by the artist, contact us immediately.

If you wish to sell or receive an evaluation of the works:

Send us a frontal photo of the painting, one of the back, and one of the signature. Also, indicate the dimensions of the work. Inform us about the purchase origin of the work and any kind of available documentation (purchase receipts, certificates of authenticity, publications). One of our operators will respond to you on the same day. We guarantee maximum confidentiality and extreme professionalism.

If you wish to purchase works by the painter: Contact us and let us know your request. We will inform you about the available works. We also offer the possibility to subscribe to our NEWSLETTER, through which you will be informed at the beginning of each month about the latest acquisitions of the art gallery.

You can send us pictures of the work:

• by mail –>  [email protected]
• by WhatsApp –> +39 3205747749