Sculptor Joel Shapiro Dies at 83

The art world mourns the loss of Joel Shapiro, a titan of Post-Minimalist sculpture, whose innovative works challenged perceptions of scale and form. His pieces, often crafted from bronze and aluminum, graced prestigious venues, leaving an indelible mark on modern art.

A Life in Art

Joel Shapiro, a celebrated Post-Minimalist sculptor, passed away on Saturday at the age of 83. Pace Gallery announced his death on Sunday. The artist had been battling acute myeloid leukemia, according to reports.

His distinctive sculptures, especially those constructed from bronze and aluminum, are well-known. These artworks, frequently seen in significant locations like the United States Holocaust Museum and the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s rooftop, are recognized by their distinctiveness. They also exhibit playful, whimsical elements.

Subverting Minimalism

Many of Shapiro’s sculptures originated in wood before being rendered in metal. His vibrant color choices would have been considered a violation of Minimalism. This was the dominant movement in New York during the early 1970s, when Shapiro’s work started gaining attention.

Shapiro’s early works used the language of Minimalism, but he then subverted it. He made a series of drawings with inked fingerprints, arranging them into irregular rows, which was a contrast to the usual minimalist grid.

He also employed industrial materials, a hallmark of Minimalism. Yet, his usage appeared to defy conventional logic. Untitled: 75 lbs. (1970) features a bar of magnesium and a bar of lead. Though weighing the same, their differing sizes created a visual dissimilarity.

Expanding Horizons

In the 1970s, at Paula Cooper Gallery, Shapiro exhibited pieces that surprised the viewer. He presented tiny houses and chairs that were easily tipped. In 2022, the global sculpture market was valued at $1.98 billion, indicating a significant demand for this art form (Statista).

In 2007, Shapiro told the Brooklyn Rail, “I think they insisted on their own obdurate sense of self, in spite of the space surrounding but at the same time they’re a part of it.” He also explained that their size was a reaction to Minimalism’s monumentality.

Figurative Turn and Monumentality

By the 1980s, his art became more figural, leading to large-scale sculptures that resembled figures. These were made of metal beams. He said that he was interested in those moments when it appeared as a figure, and other times when it looked like wood pieces combined.

Despite his art’s growing size, with pieces towering in a recent Pace Gallery show, Shapiro resisted the idea that his work was monumental. In 2009, he said to Bomb magazine, “They’re not colossal. They could be monumental. I’d like to think that they’re not too bloated.”

Early Life and Career

Joel Shapiro was born in New York on September 27, 1941. His parents, Shapiro and his sister Joan, grew up in Sunnyside, Queens, after World War II. His father was an internal specialist, and his mother was a biologist.

He attended New York University, intending to be a doctor. However, as he stated in the Brooklyn Rail interview, “The only thing I was any good at was making art.” After graduating in 1964, he joined the Peace Corps, residing in southern India from 1965 to 1967. Shapiro credited this experience with helping him realize his artistic path.

Returning to NYU for graduate art, he then worked at the Jewish Museum, installing exhibitions and polishing silver objects. In 1969, his career gained momentum with the Whitney Museum exhibition “Anti-Illusion: Procedures/Materials,” which helped formalize the Post-Minimalist art movement.

Legacy and Influence

Pace has represented Shapiro since 1992. Arne Glimcher, Pace’s founder, stated on Sunday, “For over 30 years, it has been my honor to represent Joel Shapiro and to count him as a close friend.”

“For over 30 years, it has been my honor to represent Joel Shapiro and to count him as a close friend,”

—Arne Glimcher, Pace’s founder

Shapiro rarely titled his art. When asked why, he said, “I’m not much of a poet. Form is its own language.” His work continues to challenge and inspire.