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Abstract Expressionist Sculptures

The Abstract Expressionist movement may be more closely associated with painters such as Jackson Pollack and Willem De Kooning, but the works produced by those artists that chose to work outside of a two dimensional medium are fascinating in their own right. Painting became increasingly influenced by the concept of “action-painting," where the artist spontaneously constructed each piece in unconventional ways to communicate abstract emotional states and meanings, and sculpture followed suit.

Sculptors involved in the movement throughout the 1950s and 60s sought to create similar forms, with similar effects, in three dimensions. This presented numerous physical and conceptual challenges, since the sculptural medium tends to be harder to improvise in manipulation. Pieces from this period all display the many ways sculptors rose to this challenge.

It is not a coincidence, then, that some of the most successful sculptors from this period were trained as painters before turning to sculpture. Often, they made pieces to be displayed against a wall, similar to how one would display a work on canvas. These abstract sculptures were based on the same fluidity that defined the period’s painting, but cast it into grand scale and solid form.


Quick Facts

  • David Smith, whose “Voltri-Bolton XXIII” fetched the highest price at auction for contemporary sculpture when it was sold in 1986, was once famously quoted as stating “I do not recognize the limits where painting ends and sculpture begins"
  • Carl Jung's theory of the “collective subconscious” is a major influence on Abstract Expressionism, be on the lookout for underlying emotional archetypes and symbolism in pieces such as these
  • Abstract Expressionism is sometimes referred to as the “New York School,” though the movement eventually expanded outside of the United States

Recommended Items at Auction

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FRAN ZERR - Albert Memorial Bridge Baluster
Sep 24, 1:00 PM CST
FRAN ZERR - Albert Memorial Bridge Baluster
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Est: $70- $100
$1507 Bids
Vasa b.1933 Modern Op Art Lucite Pyramid Sculpture
Sep 27, 12:00 PM EDT
Vasa b.1933 Modern Op Art Lucite Pyramid Sculpture
by Hill Auction Gallery
Est: $100- $1,000
$2256 Bids
BUDDY SMITH - Design #3
Sep 24, 1:00 PM CST
BUDDY SMITH - Design #3
by Saskatchewan Network for Art Collecting
Est: $70- $100
$505 Bids
CHERIE SMITH - Untitled - Design #3
Sep 24, 1:00 PM CST
CHERIE SMITH - Untitled - Design #3
by Saskatchewan Network for Art Collecting
Est: $150- $200
$1605 Bids
R. Milinowski "Elude" Marble Sculpture, 1977
Sep 24, 12:00 PM EDT
R. Milinowski "Elude" Marble Sculpture, 1977
by Auctions at Showplace
Est: $400- $600
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Hazel Signed Modernist Welded Steel Sculpture
Nov 05, 12:00 PM EDT
Hazel Signed Modernist Welded Steel Sculpture
by Auctions at Showplace
Est: $400- $600
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Shikoku Haziza Lucite Modern Sculpture
Oct 01, 10:00 AM MST
Shikoku Haziza Lucite Modern Sculpture
by Monarch Auction and Estate Services
Est: $0- $0
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Modernist Abstract Carved White Marble Sculpture
Sep 27, 12:00 PM EDT
Modernist Abstract Carved White Marble Sculpture
by Hill Auction Gallery
Est: $100- $1,000
$753 Bids
UNKNOWN ARTIST (Ukrainian) - Folk Art Pear Tree
Sep 24, 1:00 PM CST
UNKNOWN ARTIST (Ukrainian) - Folk Art Pear Tree
by Saskatchewan Network for Art Collecting
Est: $100- $140
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PATRICK MEAGHER - Planter
Sep 24, 1:00 PM CST
PATRICK MEAGHER - Planter
by Saskatchewan Network for Art Collecting
Est: $180- $240
$502 Bids
SOLD SOLD Modern Armillary Sphere Sculpture SOLD!! SOLD!!
Sep 24, 9:00 AM MST
SOLD SOLD Modern Armillary Sphere Sculpture SOLD!! SOLD!!
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Est: $0- $0
$152 Bids
Mira Nakashima, burlwood plinth
Oct 06, 9:00 AM EDT
Mira Nakashima, burlwood plinth
by Pook & Pook Inc.
Est: $400- $600
$2252 Bids
Jesus Rafael Soto Kinetic Art Construction
Oct 22, 12:00 PM EDT
Jesus Rafael Soto Kinetic Art Construction
by Auctions at Showplace
Est: $1,500- $2,500
$3002 Bids
JAN HENDERIKSE (°1937)
Oct 04, 2:00 PM CEST
JAN HENDERIKSE (°1937)
by Bernaerts Auctioneers
Est: €600- €800
€4502 Bids
CEES VAN RUTTEN (°1952)
Oct 04, 2:00 PM CEST
CEES VAN RUTTEN (°1952)
by Bernaerts Auctioneers
Est: €150- €200
€901 Bid
Lot of two small electroform mushroom figurines. Each figurine is marked as "925."
Sep 29, 7:00 PM EDT
Lot of two small electroform mushroom figurines. Each figurine is marked as "925."
by Lettieri Auction & Appraisal
Est: $65- $90
$11 Bid
MATTA ROBERTO SEBASTIAN ANTONIO (1911 - 2002) - Untitled.
Oct 02, 3:00 PM CEST
MATTA ROBERTO SEBASTIAN ANTONIO (1911 - 2002) - Untitled.
by Capitolium Art
Est: €2,000- €3,000
€5001 Bid
MATTA ROBERTO SEBASTIAN ANTONIO (1911 - 2002) - Untitled.
Oct 02, 3:00 PM CEST
MATTA ROBERTO SEBASTIAN ANTONIO (1911 - 2002) - Untitled.
by Capitolium Art
Est: €2,000- €3,000
€5001 Bid
MATTA ROBERTO SEBASTIAN ANTONIO (1911 - 2002) - Untitled.
Oct 02, 3:00 PM CEST
MATTA ROBERTO SEBASTIAN ANTONIO (1911 - 2002) - Untitled.
by Capitolium Art
Est: €2,000- €3,000
€5001 Bid
Victor Vasarely Two Sided Op Art Painted Wood Sculpture ed150
Sep 30, 12:00 PM EDT
Victor Vasarely Two Sided Op Art Painted Wood Sculpture ed150
by Hess Fine Art
Est: $3,000- $6,000
$101 Bid
Curtis Jere Green and Gold Sunburst Sculpture
Sep 30, 10:00 AM EDT
Curtis Jere Green and Gold Sunburst Sculpture
by Concept Art Gallery
Est: $150- $300
$801 Bid
Juan Hamilton Untitled (11-22-86), 1986
Oct 21, 10:00 AM MST
Juan Hamilton Untitled (11-22-86), 1986
by Larsen Art Auction
Est: $12,000- $18,000
$6,0001 Bid
Markus Linnenbrink (German, b. 1961) IHAVEKNOWNRIVERSOLDTOBEGIN, 2015
Sep 28, 10:00 AM CDT
Markus Linnenbrink (German, b. 1961) IHAVEKNOWNRIVERSOLDTOBEGIN, 2015
by Hindman
Est: $10,000- $15,000
$5,0001 Bid

Sellers Who Sell Abstract Expressionist Sculptures


Bernaerts Auctioneers

Bernaerts Auctioneers

Auctions at Showplace

Auctions at Showplace

De Vuyst

De Vuyst

Ahlers & Ogletree Inc.

Ahlers & Ogletree Inc.