The 30 Most Important Sculptors Today You Should Know

A Reasoned Anthology

Introduction: Contemporary Sculpture

When it comes to contemporary art forms, contemporary sculpture is right up there among painting and installation, being practiced by the most influential modern & contemporary artists of today. But before we dive into those illustrious names, what is contemporary sculpture?

Contemporary sculpture consists of the artistic practice of sculpture from roughly 1950/1960 to today, in which three-dimensional objects are created—and intended by the artist—as an artwork.

The transition of modern sculpture to contemporary sculpture coincides with the arrival of Minimal Art and Conceptual Art in the 1950s and 1960s. Both art movements would radically change the art world, and sculpture, in particular, introduced new materials, conceptual strategies, and the integration of ready-mades in the tradition of Marcel Duchamp.

Recurring general characteristics of contemporary sculpture consist of (i) the often (post-)conceptual foundation of the artwork; (ii) the use of ready-mades; (iii) the use of various industrial materials and techniques; (iv) the fading distinction between sculpture and installation art and (v) the often outsourcing of the manufacturing process by the artist.

As a result, we encounter a vast array of materials used in contemporary sculpture. The traditional materials—wood, marble, clay, or bronze – are still very frequently used. However, a new set of different materials has found its way to sculpture—think of PVC, stainless steel, concrete, foam, and much more—implementing industrial processes, engineering, and new technologies—for instance, 3D printing—resulting in new possibilities.

Now, let’s accompany the definition and characteristics with clear examples of contemporary sculpture. And what better way to do so than to discuss today’s top 30 most important contemporary sculptors? In this article, we are pleased to present the most extensive online resource on contemporary sculpture, with a reasoned selection of 30 highly established artists, ranked from 30 to 1 using the Artfacts algorithm measuring their influence and importance using objective data and career facts.[1]

S.n.: As we can only touch briefly on every artist, we have included hyperlinks at the end of every artist biography, referring to the best monographic publication available on the artist in question. If you would be interested in reading a more extensive and printed publication on contemporary sculpture, we highly recommend Sculpture Today by Judith Collins, published by Phaidon in 2014.

30. Jonathan Monk

We start with Jonathan Monk, born in 1969 in Leicester, the United Kingdom, residing and working in Berlin, Germany. The British sculptor believes it has become impossible to be original in today’s art world, while simultaneously, the art world demands and values originality more and more. Monk critiques and reacts to this tendency by re-examining and recasting existing artworks by iconic conceptual and minimal artists such as Sol LeWitt or Lawrence Weiner.

Through appropriation strategies, Jonathan Monk critiques and asks, “what’s next?” in art. His famous stainless steel works of deflated sculptures refer to Jeff Koons’ (cf. infra) famous balloon dogs and rabbits in a state of collapse. This symbolic and iconoclastic action perfectly illustrates how Monk achieves new, original and relevant artworks by revisiting sculpture from the recent past.[2]

For further reading on Jonathan Monk, we highly recommend the monographic publication Jonathan Monk: Until Then… If Not Before…

Jonathan Monk, A Copy Of Deflated Sculpture V, 2009/2020. Stainless steel – 109.7 × 229.1 × 119.4 cm. Courtesy Dvir Gallery.

29. Dan Graham

Up next, we encounter Dan Graham. Born in 1942 in Illinois, residing and working in New York, the American artist is one of the most celebrated sculptors of his generation. Graham was a critical voice, contributing both as an artist and as a curator and essayist to the development of Conceptual Art, Minimal Art, and Critique Art.

In his sculptural practice, Graham creates unique three-dimensional constellations, examining the symbiosis of architectural environments in relation to their inhabitants. His internationally lauded curved transparent structures using steel, glass, and mirrors are recognizable and can be implemented in almost any environment, whether a sculpture or an installation.[3]

For further reading on Dan Graham, we strongly recommend the monographic publication Dan Graham: Catalogue Raisonne

Dan Graham, Untitled, 2018. Stainless steel and two way mirror – 125 × 125 × 91 cm. Edition 2. Courtesy Lisson Gallery.

28. Leiko Ikemura

Born in 1951 in Tsu, Mie, Japan, Leiko Ikemura is a contemporary artist living and working between Berlin and Cologne, Germany. Ikemura is one of the most famous painters today and a leading sculptor. She turned to three-dimensional artworks in 1984 after painting for 30 years, mixing eastern and western sculptural traditions.

Her weapons of choice are bronze, terracotta, and clay, with which she creates biomorphic forms and fragments of female subjects. In the tradition of Rodin, she creates semi-figurative sculptures, alternating abstract fragments with female forms.[4]

For further reading on Leiko Ikemura, we highly recommend the monographic publication Leiko Ikemura: Sculpture, Painting, Drawing.

Leiko Ikemura, Lying in White, 2013-2018. Patinated bronze – 27 × 133 × 40 cm. Edition of 5. Courtesy Tim Van Laere Gallery.
Laure Prouvost, Metal Man (WE WILL SHOW YOU THE WAY), 2019. Metal sculpture, oil on canvas – 180 × 50 × 120 cm. Courtesy Carlier Gebauer.

27. Laure Prouvost

Laure Prouvost, born in 1978 in Croix-Lille, France, resides and works between Antwerp, Belgium, and London, the United Kingdom. Prouvost is a multidisciplinary artist, producing exquisite sculptures with a touch of humor, but above all, with a critical undertone.

The French artist aims to create a dialogue between fiction and reality. The viewer is directly involved, as she addresses the spectator directly with her written messages in the tradition of Conceptual Art. With her sculptural practice, she uses ready-mades or metal, creating her unique and recognizable stick figures.[5]

For further reading on Laure Prouvost, we highly recommend the monographic publication Laure Prouvost: Deep See Blue Surrounding You / Vois ce bleu profond te fondre. 

26. Otobong Nkanga

Otobong Nkanga, born in 1974 in Kano, Nigeria, is a contemporary artist residing and working in Antwerp, Belgium. As with Laure Prouvost (cf. supra), Nkange is a multimedia artist, with sculpture being a significant medium within her oeuvre.

Her sculptures and installations discuss the social and topographical relationships connected to our everyday environment. The central concept is the crucial notion of “land.” Doing so, her sculptures take on issues such as cultural inheritance, geographic history, historical culture, appropriation, politics, and identity.[6]

For further reading on Otobong Nkanga, we highly recommend the monographic publication Otobong Nkanga: Luster and Lucre.

Otobong Nkanga, Solid maneuvers, 2015. Various metals, Forex, acrylic, tar, salt, make-up, vermiculite — variable dimensions. Courtesy of the artist. / Photo: M HKA Ensembles.

25. Daniel Spoerri

Born in 1930 in Galati, Romania, Daniel Spoerri is a Swiss artist and writer occupied with sculpture, assemblage, and found objects. Spoerri creates assemblages of a group of objects in his sculptural practice. Most often, he captures plates, silverware, glasses, and even remains of meals in bronze.

These characteristic tableaus are referred to as his ‘snare-pictures.’ These sculptures can be presented on a pedestal but are often mounted onto the wall.[7]

For further reading on Daniel Spoerri, we highly recommend the monographic publication Daniel Spoerri published in 2021.

Daniel Spoerri, Composizione. Bronze – 33 × 55 × 21 cm. Courtesy Finarte.

24. Fischli & Weiss

Next, we take on the Swiss artist duo, residing and working in Zürich, Peter Fischli (b. 1952) & David Weiss (1946-2012). The contemporary artists bundled forces in 1979, creating neo-conceptual artworks in a vast array of media, with sculpture being one of the more prominent mediums.

Fischli & Weiss question the mechanisms of artistic authorship, the symbolic value of a work of art, and the role of the spectator. In their sculptures, we are challenged to rediscover reality. They focus on the seemingly banal. Fischli & Weiss use distinctly non-professional artistic techniques, for instance, hobby sculpture, distancing themselves from the materials and practices typical of art today.[8]

For further reading on Fischli & Weiss, we highly recommend the monographic publication Peter Fischli David Weiss from the Phaidon Contemporary Art Series.

Peter Fischli & David Weiss, Untitled (4 Frauen), 1989. Plaster – 57.8 × 50.8 × 73.7 cm. Courtesy Sprüth Magers.

23. Thomas Schütte

Born in 1954 in Oldenburg, West Germany, Thomas Schütte is a contemporary artist residing and working in Düsseldorf, Germany. Schütte is best known for his thought-provoking sculptures of melting or deformed figures.

The German artist was a student of Gerhard Richter, Daniel Buren, and Benjamin Buchloch. He examines his so-called “grammar of character” with his often monumental sculptures. The body of his figures – most often produced in steel, aluminum, bronze, or wax – becomes a site and tool for the artist and viewer to explore.[9]

For further reading on Thomas Schütte, we highly recommend the monographic publication Thomas Schütte.

Thomas Schütte, Mann im Matsch, 2015. Collection Fondation Louis Vuitton, Paris.

22. Carl Andre

Next, we have one of the undoubtedly most important figures of the historical art movement of Minimal Art. Carl Andre, born in 1935 in Quincy, Massachusetts, is an American artist residing and working in New York City. Andre was a pioneer, luring sculpture into Minimal Art with his ingenious and ground-breaking body of works.

Arguably, Carl Andre is best known for his copper tiles, bricks, or stones, creating a geometric figure on the gallery floor. However, Andre has also produced many more three-dimensional sculptures, such as Thebes from 2003 (see image above). The artist uses western red cedar wood to create a rhythm inside the gallery space with his seemingly simple yet refined minimal composition of wood blocks.[10]

For further reading on Carl Andre, we highly recommend the monographic publication Carl Andre: Sculpture 1959-1977.

Carl Andre, THEBES, 2003. Western red cedar wood – 120 × 90 × 1080 cm. Courtesy Galerie Greta Meert.

21. Damien Hirst

Next, we have one of the most famous artists in the world, Damien Hirst. Hirst was born in 1965 in Bristol, England, and resides and works in the English capital, London. The British artist rose to fame in the late 1980s with his often shocking sculpture, pushing the boundaries of art, good taste, or the acceptable, making him one of the most notorious artists of his generation.

The leading YBA (Young British Artists) member shocked the art world with his sculptures comprising dead animals in formaldehyde, as with the artwork Away from the Flock from 1994. In doing so, Hirst explores his favorite themes, such as mortality, desire, and religion.[11]

For further reading on Damien Hirst, we highly recommend the monographic publication Damien Hirst: Relics.

Damien Hirst, The Incredible Journey, 2008. Glass, painted stainless steel, silicone, monofilament, stainless steel, zebra and formaldehyde solution – 208.6 x 322.5 x 108.8 cm. Courtesy Sotheby’s.

20. Richard Long

Richard Long, born in 1945 in Bristol, England, where the artist continues to work and reside, is a true pioneer for Conceptual Art in the United Kingdom. The act of walking is often a starting point for his artistic practice. Long’s walks are not only a source of inspiration, but he finds materials on his walks through nature for his unique sculptures.

As a result, Richard Long pioneered a new and conceptual approach towards sculpture, in which his works’ durational process and material aspects redefined the sculptural practice during the second half of the 20th century.[12]

For further reading on Richard Long, we highly recommend the monographic publication The Art Richard Long.

Richard Long, Black White Green Pink Purple Circle, 1998. Stones – 750 cm diameter. Courtesy Galerie Tschudi.

19. Tony Cragg

Born in 1949 in Liverpool, the United Kingdom, Tony Cragg is a contemporary artist residing and working in Wuppertal, Germany. He is best known for his dynamic sculptures on the intersection of what is manmade and of natural elements or landscapes.

Tony Cragg approaches sculptures as a study of how material and material forms affect our ideas and emotions. His mathematically based formal constructions are complicated organic forms that evoke an emotional reaction in the viewer.[13]

For further reading on Tony Cragg, we highly recommend Tony Cragg: Parts of the World.

Tony Cragg, Over the Earth, 2017. Bronze – 97 × 125 × 40 cm. Courtesy Lisson Gallery.
Christian Boltanski, Reserve of Dead Swiss (One’s Not Dead), 1991. Tin boxes, photographs – 361.95 x 218.44 x 97.47 cm. Courtesy Marian Goodman Gallery.

18. Christian Boltanski

Born in 1944 and passed away in 2021 in Paris, Christian Boltanski is a photographer and one of the most influential sculptors of the contemporary era. His oeuvre takes on loss, memory, death, and childhood.

Boltanski often works with macabre historical subjects, think of the Holocaust, striking not only our collective societal trauma but also his personal memories of those events. His works function as a memorial for collective loss. Thus, the objects give a voice to the absent subjects.[14]

For further reading on Christian Boltanski, we highly recommend to monographic publication Christian Boltanski: Souls from Place to Place.

17. Alicja Kwade

Next, we have Alicja Kwade, born in 1979 in Katowice, Poland, and currently residing and working in Berlin, Germany. Kwade is one of her generation’s most significant installation artists and sculptors.

She takes on structures of our society and reality and their relationship with the time and space continuum. Kwade examines how our physical body experiences this continuum. She is intrigued by science and philosophy, directly reflected in her visual language, using mirrors and mathematical forms and often referring to cosmology.[15]

For further reading on Alicja Kwade, we highly recommend the monographs Alicja Kwade: LinienLand (2019) and Alicja Kwade: In Aporie (2019).

Alicja Kwade, DrehMoment, 2018. Installation view: Out of Ousia, Kunsthal Charlottenborg, Copenhagen, 2018. Courtesy of 303 Gallery. / Photo: Roman März.

16. Anish Kapoor

Born in Mumbai, India, Anish Kapoor is a contemporary artist residing and working in London, the United Kingdom. The Indian-British sculptor is internationally lauded for his neo-conceptual sculptures and interventions, pushing the boundaries of contemporary sculpture and engineering.

Kapoor works with immense PVC skins that are stretched or deflated. Arguably, he is best known for his concave or convex mirrors of polished steel, swallowing their surroundings, the sky, or even the viewer. Throughout these various media, one encounters a deep-felt metaphysical duality of presence versus absence, revelation versus concealment.[16]

For further reading on Anish Kapoor, we highly recommend the monographic publication Anish Kapoor.

Anish Kapoor, Installation View, 2020. Courtesy Lisson Gallery.

15. Jenny Holzer

Born in 1950 in Ohio, the United States of America, Jenny Holzer is a highly rated contemporary sculptor and neo-conceptual installation artist. Her works are strongly connected with the Feminist Art movement, as she provokes a public debate and global awareness of social and political inequality.

Holzer uses various media in her sculptural practice, encompassing LED signs, public billboards, and marble carving. She aims to explore the individual and the collective experience of power, powerlessness, violence, and vulnerability.[17]

For further reading on Jenny Holzer, we highly recommend the monographic publication Jenny Holzer published by Phaidon for their Contemporary Art Series.

Jenny Holzer, What a shock when they tell you it won’t hurt…, 1989. Bethel white granite bench – 43.2 × 91.4 × 45.7 cm. Edition of 3. Courtesy Sprüth Magers.

14. Isa Genzken

Isa Genzken, born in 1948 in Bad Oldesloe in Germany, residing and working in Berlin, is a contemporary artist best known for her interdisciplinary practice of photography, film, drawing, painting, installation, and, last but not least, sculpture.

One notices how her works are rooted in the historical traditions of Minimal Art and Conceptual Art but also of Assemblage Art, combining various found objects into her sculptural practice. She aims to confront the viewer with the experience of the contemporary human condition in a restless social climate caused and perpetuated by capitalism and consumer culture.[18]

For further reading on Isa Genzken, we highly recommend the monographic publication Isa Genzken: Retrospective, published by the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA).

Isa Genzken, Schauspieler, 2013. Mannequin, stool, shoes, wig, wood, fabric, plastic and metal – variable dimensions. Collection Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam.
Jeff Koons, Balloon Rabbit (Red), 2017. Porcelain – 29.2 × 21 × 14 cm. Edition of 999 + 50AP. Courtesy Gagosian.

13. Jeff Koons

Born in 1955 in York, Pennsylvania, residing and working in New York City, Jeff Koons is a contemporary American sculptor and arguably one of his generation’s most popular and best-known artists. In fact, many would have thought to find him in the top three of our reasoned list. Koons is internationally known for his characteristic sculptures of balloon animals and mirrors of polished stainless steel, often monumental in scale.

The American artist explores the meaning of art and the spectacle in a media-saturated era of mass media and mass culture. He creates luxurious icons, engaging the spectator in a metaphysical dialogue, examining our collective cultural history.[19]

For further reading on Jeff Koons, we highly recommend the monographic publication Jeff Koons: A Retrospective.

12. Richard Serra

Born in 1938 in San Francisco, the United States of America, and passed away in 2024 in New York, Richard Serra is an American artist who rose to fame with his monumental steel sculptures. He curves and bends giant surfaces to affect and make the viewer aware of form and proportion.

The minimal character of his sculptures is defined by the radical simplicity in form and the early manifestation of the new possibilities in art by implementing industrial processes and materials. In doing so, Richard Serra pioneered sculpture to new realms and scales, inviting the viewer to wander around or inside his unique and recognizable sculptures, inspecting space and our perception of space.[20]

For further reading on Richard Serra, we highly recommend the monographic publication Richard Serra: Forged Steel.

Richard Serra, Backdoor Pipeline, 2010. Weatherproof steel – 380 × 1410 × 230 cm. Courtesy Gagosian.

11. Franz West

Born in 1947 and passed away in 2012 in Vienna, Austria, Franz West is one of the most important sculptors and installation artists of the 20th century. He is best known for his unique visual language of representational elements and abstraction by using found objects such as furniture and combining them with foam sculptures, collages, cardboard, or paper-maché.

Franz West rejects the traditional and passive experience of art. As a result, he does not only aim to make an art object, but he also commits to creating a viewing experience of the art object in which the viewer is actively involved.[21]

For further reading on Franz West, we highly recommend the monographic publication Franz West.

Franz West, Untitled (painted by Herbert Brandl), 1986. Oil on cotton gauze on papier-mâché on artist’s metal table – 54 × 110 × 22 cm. Courtesy Omer Tiroche Gallery.

10. Ai Weiwei

Born in 1957 in Beijing, China, Ai Weiwei is a global citizen, contemporary artist, and thinker residing and working in Berlin, Germany. Weiwei produces his works after a period of investigation, presenting the outcome and results of his research in the form of installation, sculpture, or performance.

These investigations are occupied with our human existence in relation to economic or political forces. He takes on problematic socio-political issues, uniting activism with art to improve the world with art as a catalyst. He questions and fights the effects of capitalism, totalitarianism, and the inevitable conflicts in a globalized world.[20] a

For further reading on Ai Weiwei, we highly recommend the monographic publication Ai Weiwei published by Taschen.

Ai Weiwei, Coca Cola Vase, 2017. Han dynasty vase (260 B.C. – 220 A.D.) and paint – 27 x 27 x 36 cm. Courtesy Lisson Gallery.

9. Marcel Broodthaers

Born in 1924 in Brussels, Belgium, and passed away in 1976 in Cologne, Germany, Marcel Broodthaers is one of the most important conceptual artists and sculptors of the 1960s and 1970s. His three-dimensional artworks – mainly in the form of sculpture and installation – are marked by the use of found objects, such as furniture, tools, clothing, and the shells of eggs and mussels; think of one of his most iconic sculptures titled ‘Mussels White Sauce’ from 1967′ (see image below).

As a true conceptual artist and poet, Broodthaers uses literal stylistics as an innovative strategy for meaning and form. Think of satire, hyperboles, or contrapositions, resulting in witty social or institutional critiques, questioning art by the manner of art.[23]

For further reading on Marcel Broodthaers, we highly recommend the monographic publication Marcel Broodthaers published by the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA).

Marcel Broodthaers, Moules sauce blanche (Mussels with white sauce). 1967. Painted pot, mussel shells, paint, and tinted resin – 48.5 × 37.5 × 37.5 cm. Courtesy Estate of Marcel Broodthaers (c)

8. Kiki Smith

Born in 1954 in Nuremberg, West Germany, Kiki Smith is an American artist residing and working between New York City and the Hudson Valley. Her figurative body of works encompasses drawing, printmaking, and in particular, sculpture.

Smith depicts and interrogates the contemporary human condition. She is interested in our evolving relationship with nature but also takes on socio-politically motivating topics such as AIDS and gender politics.[24]

For further reading on Kiki Smith, we highly recommend the monographic publication Kiki Smith.

Kiki Smith, Reclining Nude, 2005. Bronze – 80 cm x 127 cm x 96.5 cm. Edition of 3 + 1 AP. Courtesy Galerie Lelong & Co. / Kiki Smith (c)
Yayoi Kusama, Pumpkin, 1982. Mixed media – 53.5 × 26.8 × 25 cm. Courtesy MAKI.

7. Yayoi Kusama

Born in 1929 in Matsumoto, Japan, residing and working in Tokyo, Yayoi Kusama is a contemporary artist who rose to fame in New York in the 1960s with her unique performances, installations, paintings, and sculptures. She is best known for her mind-boggling immersive installations in the form of infinity rooms using mirrors or polka dots and pumpkins in her artistic practice.

Her characteristic and colorful visual language emerge from her hallucinations as the Japanese superstar channels her mental illness into an infinite source of creativity. With her sculptural practice, we encounter not only her polka dots in various media but mainly her pumpkins, and also shoes, and plants.[25]

For further reading on Yayoi Kusama, we highly recommend the monographic publication Yayoi Kusama: A Retrospective.

6. Nam June Paik

Born in 1932 in Seoul, South Korea, and passed away in 2006 in Miami, the United States of America, Nam June Paik is a contemporary artist best known for his innovative sculptures implementing audio-visual media, resulting in sculptures using TVs as found objects or creating robot-like figures.

Paik arrived in New York City in the 1960s in a vibrant art scene marked by innovation and the efflorescence of new possibilities and new art movements such as Minimal Art or Conceptual Art. He became a true pioneer, innovator, and leading figure in a quest for new modes of artistic expression. He redefined the relationship between arts and electronic media, paving the way for installation and digital art.[26]

For further reading on Nam June Paik, we highly recommend the monographic publication Nam June Paik published by Prestel in 2020.

Nam June Paik, Watchdog II, 1997. Aluminum framework, Panasonic video camera, 2 audio speakers, circuit boards, three 13 in. color TVs, one 9 in. colour TV, nine 5 in. colour TVs, 2 channel original Paik video – 138.4 × 156.5 × 42.9 cm. Courtesy Phillips.

5. Rosemarie Trockel

Rosemarie Trockel was born in 1952 in Schwerte, Germany, and currently resides and works in Cologne. Trockel is best known as a neo-conceptual artist, reflecting upon the role of women in the art world with her multidisciplinary body of works.

An eclectic ‘no-style’-style marks her sculptural practice. She takes on political issues such as capitalism and mass culture, confronting us with patriarchal dominance in art and beyond. Characteristic of Trockel is her interplay of virtuosity with irony. She wants to dismantle and undermine conventions and dogmas through socio-political provocation.[27]

For further reading on Rosemarie Trockel, we highly recommend the monographic publication Rosemarie Trockel: Bodies of Work 1986-1998.

Rosemarie Trockel, Copy Me, 2013. Cast steel and plastic – 80 x 420 x 71 cm. Courtesy Gladstone Gallery.
Erwin Wurm, Tasche mit zwei Beinen (Arbeitstitel), 2017. Bronze – 200 × 73 × 40 cm Edition of 5 (+2 AP). Courtesy Jonathan Novak Contemporary Art.

4. Erwin Wurm

Up next, we encounter the absurd, humorous, and critical sculptures by Erwin Wurm. Born in 1953 in Bruck an der Sur in Austria, currently residing and working in Vienna, Wurm is a neo-conceptual sculptor and performance artist best known for his often interactive sculptures and installations, occupied with everyday life.

His surrealistic sculptures blow up existing forms, in scale or by inflating them, combining daily objects with the human figure. Wurm tackles formalism and Western society with his multimedia practice, dominated by his recognizable sculptures of absurd encounters. The Austrian artist merges sculpture with performance, using the body or the viewer as a tool to complete his famous One Minute Sculptures.[28]

For further reading on Erwin Wurm, we highly recommend the monographic publication Erwin Wurm: The Artist Who Swallowed the World.

3. Louise Bourgeois

Born in 1911 in Paris, France, and passed away in 2010 in New York City, the United States of America, Louise Bourgeois is one of the undoubtedly most important and iconic artists of the modern and contemporary era. Bourgeois is internationally lauded for her large-scale sculptures and installations of her characteristic spiders, cages, eyes, claws, or phallic sculptures.

With these spectacular and iconic motifs, the French artist uses a variety of media, combining traditional sculpture materials, such as marble or bronze, with everyday objects. Throughout her impressive career across seven decades, Bourgeois incorporates autobiographical elements into her sculptural practice, taking on jealousy, violence, (sexual) desire, feminism, but also anxiety, and loneliness.[29]

For further reading, we highly recommend the monographic publication Intimate Geometries: The Art and Life of Louise Bourgeois.

Haus der Kunst, Munich, Germany “Louise Bourgeois, Structures of Existence: The Cells” (2/27/15-8/2/15)
Bruce Nauman, Animal Pyramid, 1989. Polyurethane foam, iron, wood and wire – 365.8 × 213.4 × 243.8 cm. Courtesy Gagosian.

2. Bruce Nauman

Born in 1941 in Fort Wayne, Indiana, the United States of America, Bruce Nauman is a conceptual artist and sculptor using an array of experimental media, including neon and polyurethane foam. The multidisciplinary artist questions the human experience, challenging existing conventions and examining new methodologies to create art and meaning.

His sculptures have a somewhat eclectic character, alternating abstract elements – such as iron crossbeams, plaster molds, neon, and light installations – with figurative works; think of his animal pyramids (see image above) or assemblages of hands in bronze. Nauman confronts us with tremendous existential dichotomies, such as life versus death, pleasure versus pain, or love versus hate.[30]

For further reading on Bruce Nauman, we highly recommend the monographic publication Nauman.

1. Joseph Beuys

We conclude our list with the enigmatic artist and innovator Joseph Beuys. Born in 1921 in Krefeld, Germany, and passed away in 1986 in Düsseldorf, Beuys is arguably the most influential artist from his generation occupied with sculpture. The German artist approached art as a vehicle for revolution and social transformation, resulting in his intriguing body of avant-garde sculptures.

In doing so, Beuys focused on “social sculpture,” aiming to engage with his audience. The experimental character of his works can not be understated, making Beuys a pioneer of Fluxus, Performance Art, and Installation Art. His sculptures embrace an often philosophical but always humanist message.[31]

For further reading on Joseph Beuys, we highly recommend the monographic publication The Essential Joseph Beuys.

Joseph Beuys, Schlitten (Sled), 1969. Wooden sled, felt blanket, fabric straps, flashlight and fat – 38.1 × 91.4 × 35 cm. Courtesy Sotheby’s.

Notes:

[1] Artfacts, Sculpture at https://artfacts.net/media/sculpture/33 consulted 9/03/2022.
[2] Lisson Gallery, Jonathan Monk at https://www.lissongallery.com/artists/jonathan-monk consulted 9/03/2022.
[3] Lisson Gallery, Dan Graham at https://www.lissongallery.com/artists/dan-graham consulted 22/12/2021.
[4] Artsy, Leiko Ikemura at https://www.artsy.net/artist/leiko-ikemura/ consulted 9/03/2022.
[5] Artsy, Laure Prouvost at https://www.artsy.net/artist/laure-prouvost consulted 17/09/2020. 
[6] Artsy, Otobong Nkanga at https://www.artsy.net/artist/otobong-nkanga consulted 17/09/2020.
[7] Tate, Daniel Spoerri at https://www.tate.org.uk/art/artists/daniel-spoerri-1979 consulted 9/03/2022.
[8] Sprueth Magers, Peter Fischli David Weiss at https://spruethmagers.com/artists/estate-of-peter-fischli-david-weiss/ consulted 9/03/2022.
[9] Artsy, Thomas Schütte at https://www.artsy.net/artist/thomas-schutte consulted 9/03/2022.
[10] Daniel Maradona, Minimal Art. Köln: Taschen, 2005. 
[11] Artsy, Damien Hirst at https://www.artsy.net/artist/damien-hirst/ consulted 9/03/2022.
[12] Artsy, Richard Long at https://www.artsy.net/artist/richard-long consulted 9/03/2022.
[13] Lisson Gallery, Tony Cragg at https://www.lissongallery.com/artists/tony-cragg consulted 9/03/2022.
[14] Marian Goodman Gallery, Christian Boltanski at https://www.mariangoodman.com/artists/33-christian-boltanski/ consulted 9/03/2022.
[15] 303 Gallery, Alicja Kwade at https://www.303gallery.com/artists/alicja-kwade/biography consulted 18/09/2020. Artsy, Alicja Kwade at https://www.artsy.net/artist/alicja-kwade consulted 18/09/2020. 
[16] Lisson Gallery, Anish Kapoor at https://www.lissongallery.com/artists/anish-kapoor consulted 9/03/2022.
[17] Hauser & Wirth, Jenny Holzer at https://www.hauserwirth.com/artists/2857-jenny-holzer consulted 1/12/2021.
[18] Hauser & Wirth, Isa Genzken at https://www.hauserwirth.com/artists/2784-isa-genzken consulted 2/12/2021.
[19] Gagosian, Jeff Koons at https://gagosian.com/artists/jeff-koons/ consulted 9/03/2022.
[20] Artsy, Richard Serra at https://www.artsy.net/artist/richard-serra consulted 9/03/2022.
[21] Artsy, Franz West at https://www.artsy.net/artist/franz-west/ consulted 9/03/2022.
[22] Lisson Gallery, Ai Weiwei at https://www.lissongallery.com/artists/ai-weiwei consulted 9/03/2022.
[23] Marian Goodman Gallery, Marcel Broodthaers at https://www.mariangoodman.com/artists/34-marcel-broodthaers/ consulted 9/03/2022.
[24] Pace Gallery, Kiki Smith at https://www.pacegallery.com/artists/kiki-smith/ consulted 2/12/2021.
[25] Artsy, Yayoi Kusama at https://www.artsy.net/artist/yayoi-kusama consulted 2/12/2021.
[26] Guggenheim, Nam June Paik at https://www.guggenheim.org/artwork/artist/nam-june-paik consulted 9/03/2022.
[27] Sprüth Magers, Rosemarie Trockel at https://spruethmagers.com/artists/rosemarie-trockel/ consulted 2/12/2021.
[28] Artsy, Erwin Wurm at https://www.artsy.net/artist/erwin-wurm/ consulted 9/03/2022.
[29] Xavier Hufkens, Louise Bourgeois at https://www.xavierhufkens.com/artists/louise-bourgeois consulted 2/12/2021.
[30] Gagosian, Bruce Nauman at https://gagosian.com/artists/bruce-nauman/ consulted 23/12/2021.
[31] Artsy, Joseph Beuys at https://www.artsy.net/artist/joseph-beuys/ consulted 9/03/2022.