Ponti Art Gallery is interested in buying and selling works
of art by this artist.
Joel Shapiro Biography
Joel Elias Shapiro, born on September 27, 1941, in New York City, New York, is an American sculptor whose work has significantly influenced contemporary art. Shapiro's sculptures are renowned for their dynamic compositions of simple rectangular shapes, positioning him as a pivotal figure in the Minimalist movement. His art, characterized by the use of materials without allusions to subjects outside of the works themselves, explores themes of balance, projection, and the interaction between form and space. Shapiro's journey into the world of art began in Sunnyside, Queens, New York, where he grew up before graduating from Bayside High School in 1959. His early recognition came when his school’s yearbook awarded him the title of Man About Town, hinting at the significant impact he would later have in the art world.
Shapiro's academic path led him to New York University, where he received his B.A. in 1964 and his M.A. in 1969. His time with the Peace Corps in India from 1965 to 1967 played a crucial role in shaping his artistic vision, exposing him to a range of cultures and artistic styles. This experience is reflected in his work, which often bridges the gap between abstract and figurative sculpture in a post-minimalist manner. Shapiro's sculptures, while abstract, suggest a human presence and engage viewers in a physical and psychological relationship with space.
Throughout his career, Shapiro has been the subject of more than 160 solo exhibitions and retrospectives internationally. His work is part of numerous public collections across the United States, including in California, the District of Columbia, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin, as well as international collections in Australia, Canada, Denmark, Germany, and Israel. Notable exhibitions include those at the Pace Gallery, the Whitechapel Art Gallery in London, the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York, and the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam. Shapiro's sculptures have been displayed in prestigious venues such as the Museum Ludwig in Cologne, Germany, the Nasher Sculpture Center in Dallas, Texas, and the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art in Wisconsin.
Shapiro's work is not only celebrated in galleries and museums but also in public spaces around the world. His sculptures, often untitled, explore the themes of dancing, crouching, and falling, among others, that delve into the concepts of balance, cantilever, projection, and compression. In his later works, Shapiro aimed to create sculptures that stood on their own, free from the constraints of architecture and traditional angles, giving them the appearance of flying or being suspended in space.
Shapiro's contributions to the art world have been recognized with numerous awards and honors. He was granted the Chevalier dans l'ordre des Arts et des Lettres by France in 2005 and has been elected to both the American Academy of Arts and Letters and the Swedish Royal Academy of Art. His work has regularly been featured in prestigious group exhibitions such as the Whitney Biennial and Documenta in Kassel, Germany.
Beyond his artistic achievements, Shapiro has also made significant contributions to the field of art education. He has been a mentor to many emerging artists, sharing his knowledge and insights gained over a career spanning more than five decades. Joel Shapiro continues to live and work in New York City, where he remains a vital force in contemporary sculpture, constantly pushing the boundaries of form, space, and the materiality of art.
Joel Shapiro 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
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informed at the beginning of each month about the latest
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