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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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LAURA WEE LAY LAQ CERAMIC POD SCULPTURE
Jun 29, 9:00 AM MST
LAURA WEE LAY LAQ CERAMIC POD SCULPTURE
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Est: $0- $0
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ROBERT SHIELDS DESIGNS BLACK COYOTE TRICKSTER ON DRUM SCULPTURE
Jun 29, 9:00 AM MST
ROBERT SHIELDS DESIGNS BLACK COYOTE TRICKSTER ON DRUM SCULPTURE
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Est: $0- $0
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Luciano Ceschia (1926-1991), PARTENZA, 1983
Jun 26, 2:00 PM EDT
Luciano Ceschia (1926-1991), PARTENZA, 1983
by Waddington's
Est: $150- $250
$22010 Bids
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ROBERT GARCIA UNTITLED, 1986 ALABASTER SCULPTURE
Jun 29, 9:00 AM MST
ROBERT GARCIA UNTITLED, 1986 ALABASTER SCULPTURE
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Est: $0- $0
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GARY POTTORFF COPPER SHIELD WALL SCULPTURE
Jun 29, 9:00 AM MST
GARY POTTORFF COPPER SHIELD WALL SCULPTURE
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Est: $0- $0
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Jeroen Henneman (Dutch 1942). Vissenkom [Fishbowl], 1993.
Jul 01, 1:00 PM CEST
Jeroen Henneman (Dutch 1942). Vissenkom [Fishbowl], 1993.
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Est: €800- €1,200
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Marcel Duchamp (French, 1887-1968) Bouche-Évier (Sink Stopper) also known as Medallic Sculpture, 1964
Jun 25, 10:00 AM EDT
Marcel Duchamp (French, 1887-1968) Bouche-Évier (Sink Stopper) also known as Medallic Sculpture, 1964
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Est: $2,000- $3,000
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Sjoerd Buisman (Dutch 1948). Untitled, 1996 - 1997.
Jun 30, 7:30 PM CEST
Sjoerd Buisman (Dutch 1948). Untitled, 1996 - 1997.
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Est: €1,000- €1,500
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Unidentified Eastern Arctic Artist, ATLATL (SPEAR THROWER), CA. 1900
Jun 26, 2:00 PM EDT
Unidentified Eastern Arctic Artist, ATLATL (SPEAR THROWER), CA. 1900
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Est: $300- $500
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David Gerstein (b. 1944) Israel
Jun 24, 11:00 AM PDT
David Gerstein (b. 1944) Israel
by Clark's Fine Art & Auctioneers Inc.
Est: $500- $1,500
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Mixed carved elements,
Jun 25, 6:00 PM AEST
Mixed carved elements,
by Lawsons
Est: AUD80- AUD120
AUD252 Bids
Jesus Rafael Soto, Venezuelan (1923-2005)
Jun 25, 6:00 PM EDT
Jesus Rafael Soto, Venezuelan (1923-2005)
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Est: $1,500- $2,500
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Peter Hutchinson Paricutin Ecological Sculpture
Jun 26, 11:00 AM EDT
Peter Hutchinson Paricutin Ecological Sculpture
by Auctions at Showplace
Est: $200- $400
$501 Bid
Igael Tumarkin Senza titolo
Jun 21, 1:00 PM CEST
Igael Tumarkin Senza titolo
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Est: €1,000- €1,500
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Estate Root Amber Sculpture of Tower & Sphere
Jun 28, 11:00 AM PDT
Estate Root Amber Sculpture of Tower & Sphere
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Est: $50- $100
$301 Bid
Val Bertoia (b. 1949) "Experimental Sounding Triangle", 2024
Jun 25, 10:00 AM EDT
Val Bertoia (b. 1949) "Experimental Sounding Triangle", 2024
by Material Culture
Est: $1,000- $2,000
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Marc VERDOODT (1953), sculpture in stone, monogram
Jun 22, 11:00 AM CEST
Marc VERDOODT (1953), sculpture in stone, monogram
by Maison Jules Veilinghuis
Est: €300- €500
€3001 Bid
Marc VERDOODT (1953), sculpture in stone, monogram
Jun 22, 11:00 AM CEST
Marc VERDOODT (1953), sculpture in stone, monogram
by Maison Jules Veilinghuis
Est: €300- €400
€3001 Bid
Marc VERDOODT (1953), sculpture in stone, monogram
Jun 22, 11:00 AM CEST
Marc VERDOODT (1953), sculpture in stone, monogram
by Maison Jules Veilinghuis
Est: €200- €300
€2001 Bid
Micheal Castello 20C Modern Wood Kinetic Sculpture
Jul 02, 12:00 PM EDT
Micheal Castello 20C Modern Wood Kinetic Sculpture
by Hill Auction Gallery
Est: $100- $1,000
$501 Bid
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Estate Large Iron Meteorite Like Stone Sculpture
Jun 28, 11:00 AM PDT
Estate Large Iron Meteorite Like Stone Sculpture
by Wealthier Art & Auction
Est: $50- $100
$301 Bid

Sellers Who Sell Abstract Expressionist Sculptures


Piasa

Piasa

Robinhood Auctions

Robinhood Auctions

Koller Auctions

Koller Auctions

Maison Jules Veilinghuis

Maison Jules Veilinghuis