Mark di Suvero
(American, b. 1933)
"Untitled", 1972
steel sculpture of interlocking parts
initialed, dated, numbered "28/250" and copyright-marked under top element.
h. 10", w. 7-3/8", d. 2-1/8"
Provenance: Estate of Thomas B. Lemann, New Orleans, Louisiana.

While considered an abstract expressionist sculptor, di Suvero's mature work reveals the clear influence of Constructivism; large-scale, site specific and often interactive in nature, utilizing salvaged industrial materials. His earlier sculptures included wood and found objects, but he soon concentrated on welded steel for his outdoor works, which often required the use of a crane for completion.

Di Suvero received a degree in philosophy from the University of California, Berkeley. He worked tirelessly as an activist and was arrested several times for his anti-war demonstrations, culminating in him moving to Europe for several years. He did not return to the United States until the end of the Vietnam War. While in Europe, di Suvero exhibited widely, and was the first living artist to have a solo exhibition at the Jardin des Tuileries, Paris. He was later named a Commandeur d'Ordre des Art et des Lettres by the French Ministry of Culture, quite an honor for a non-French person.

In 1976, a retrospective of his work was held at the Whitney Museum of American Art and in 2010, he was awarded the prestigious National Medal of Arts from the National Endowment of the Arts. A retrospective was recently held at Nasher Sculpture Center in Dallas of his sculptures, drawings and paintings.

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