Ponti Art Gallery is interested in buying and selling works
of art by this artist.
Dennis Oppenheim Biography
Dennis Oppenheim was an American conceptual artist, performance artist, earth artist, sculptor, and photographer whose innovative and provocative works played a significant role in defining several major art movements from the late 1960s through the early 21st century. Born on September 6, 1938, in Electric City, Washington, Oppenheim's early life was marked by his family's move back to the San Francisco Bay area shortly after his birth. His father, a Russian immigrant and engineer, and his mother, a native of California, provided a culturally rich environment that nurtured his early interest in art.
Oppenheim's academic journey began at Richmond High School, followed by his attendance at the California College of Arts and Crafts, where he met his first wife, Karen Marie Cackett. The couple moved to Honolulu, where Oppenheim taught at the University of Hawaii and welcomed their first child, Kristin, in 1959, and their second child, Erik, in 1962. His pursuit of higher education led him to earn a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the California College of Arts and Crafts in Oakland and an MFA from Stanford University in 1964.
In 1966, Oppenheim moved to New York, marking the beginning of a highly prolific and influential career in the art world. His early works were characterized by an epistemological questioning about the nature of art, the making of art, and the definition of art—a meta-art that expanded the strategies of the Minimalists to focus on site and context. This exploration led him to become a pioneer in conceptual art, performance art, earth art, and later, public sculpture.
Oppenheim's artistic practice was diverse and often controversial, challenging traditional notions of art and its creation. His works ranged from ephemeral earthworks created in remote locations to large-scale public sculptures in urban settings. Among his best-known works are "Device to Root Out Evil" (1997), an inverted church sculpture, and "Annual Rings" (1968), an earthwork that traced the rings of a tree's growth in snow, highlighting his interest in integrating art with the natural environment.
Throughout his career, Oppenheim remained committed to the idea that art should engage with the world beyond the confines of galleries and museums. This commitment was evident in his later works, which often fused sculpture and architecture, transforming everyday objects into thought-provoking installations. His work "Wishing the Mountains Madness" (1977) and "Dead Furrow" (1967) are examples of how he sought to merge art with nature and the built environment.
Oppenheim's contributions to the art world were recognized with numerous awards, including a Guggenheim Foundation Fellowship in 1969, National Endowment for the Arts Fellowships in 1974 and 1982, and a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Vancouver Sculpture Biennale. His works are held in prestigious public collections worldwide, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York, Tate Modern in London, and the Musée d’Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris.
Dennis Oppenheim passed away from cancer on January 21, 2011, in New York City, at the age of 72. He left behind a legacy that continues to influence contemporary art discourse and practice. His innovative approach to art-making, characterized by a willingness to experiment with new forms and media, challenged and expanded the boundaries of art. Oppenheim's work remains a testament to his belief in the transformative power of art and its ability to provoke thought and dialogue about the world we inhabit.
Dennis Oppenheim 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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