Joel Shapiro, born in 1941 in New York City, shaped contemporary sculpture since 1970 through his distinct use of geometric forms, dynamic structures, and careful attention to scale. He always transformed ordinary space into surprising visual experiences by combining figural hints with abstract shapes.
In his later years, Shapiro explored the emotional power of form and color in fresh ways. He suspended wooden and metal elements from ceilings, walls, and floors, creating works that defy gravity and invite viewers to move around them from every angle.
Throughout his career, Shapiro installed over thirty large-scale public sculptures across Asia, Europe, and North America. Museums and art centers around the world honored his vision with solo and retrospective exhibitions — including the Whitechapel Gallery in London (1980), the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York (1982), the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam (1985), the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis (1995–96), the Museum Ludwig in Cologne (2011), and the Nasher Sculpture Center in Dallas (2016).
Major institutions hold Shapiro’s work in their permanent collections: the Museum of Modern Art, the Whitney Museum, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York; the Tate Gallery in London; and the Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris. His contribution to modern sculpture continues to inspire artists and audiences worldwide.
For more information, please visit:
Paula Cooper Gallery – Joel Shapiro
Wikipedia – Joel Shapiro
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