Alan Shields

(American, 1944–2005)

Alan Shields was a celebrated American Post-Minimalist artist. His brightly colored, unstretched textile paintings investigated the grid: Often using industrial cotton belting, Shields cut, beaded, sewed, and dyed monumental abstract pieces, using crafting techniques or humble materials throughout his interdisciplinary practice. Shields’ work is both playful and psychedelic, evocative of the counter-culture scene of his time. Influenced by the radical ideas and designs of architect Buckminster Fuller, Shields began incorporating geodesic-like tent structures in his work, such as Whirling Dervish (1968–70) and Dance Bag (1985). Born on February 4, 1944 in Herington, KS, Shields studied studio art, civil engineering, and theater at Kansas State University, but never graduated. His career began with a successful show in 1969 at Paula Cooper Gallery, which continued to exhibit his work for the rest of his life. Shields became a memorable figure in the New York art scene, known his hand-made clothes featuring colorful patterns and beads. Today, his work is included in important collections such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Guggenheim Museum, and The Museum of Modern Art in New York, among many others. Shields died December 13, 2005 in Shelter Island, NY at the age of 61.

Alan Shields Artworks

Alan Shields (227 results)
Thinning Twin, 1987

Alan Shields

Thinning Twin, 1987

Sale Date: February 11, 2022

Auction Closed

Kool Set from the Box Sweet Jane's Egg..., 1978

Alan Shields

Kool Set from the Box Sweet Jane's Egg..., 1978

Sale Date: January 27, 2022

Auction Closed

LIQUID PLUMBERS REVENGE, 1978

Alan Shields

LIQUID PLUMBERS REVENGE, 1978

Sale Date: December 14, 2021

Auction Closed

Run Lucy, 1969

Alan Shields

Run Lucy, 1969

Sale Date: December 14, 2021

Auction Closed

Untitled

Alan Shields

Untitled

Sale Date: November 17, 2021

Auction Closed

Hard Record, 1974

Alan Shields

Hard Record, 1974

Sale Date: September 29, 2021

Auction Closed

Pinga, 1989

Alan Shields

Pinga, 1989

Sale Date: September 29, 2021

Auction Closed

Weltm, 1989

Alan Shields

Weltm, 1989

Sale Date: September 29, 2021

Auction Closed

DSTI, 1989

Alan Shields

DSTI, 1989

Sale Date: September 29, 2021

Auction Closed

The Tundra, 1989

Alan Shields

The Tundra, 1989

Sale Date: September 29, 2021

Auction Closed

Three prints by the artist, 1974–1976

Alan Shields

Three prints by the artist, 1974–1976

Sale Date: September 16, 2021

Auction Closed

Equatorial Route, 1985

Alan Shields

Equatorial Route, 1985

Sale Date: May 19, 2021

Auction Closed

Rat, Rat, Rat, RTA, Tab, Bat, Zoo

Alan Shields

Rat, Rat, Rat, RTA, Tab, Bat, Zoo

Sale Date: May 12, 2021

Auction Closed

California, 1970

Alan Shields

California, 1970

Sale Date: May 12, 2021

Auction Closed

Untitled Diptych, 1972

Alan Shields

Untitled Diptych, 1972

Sale Date: April 11, 2021

Auction Closed

Untitled, 1971, 1971

Alan Shields

Untitled, 1971, 1971

Sale Date: February 25, 2021

Auction Closed

Chocles, 1973, 1973

Alan Shields

Chocles, 1973, 1973

Sale Date: February 25, 2021

Auction Closed

Overtime Roman, 1983

Alan Shields

Overtime Roman, 1983

Sale Date: February 18, 2021

Auction Closed

Lonely Night, 1969

Alan Shields

Lonely Night, 1969

Sale Date: December 16, 2020

Auction Closed

Untitled (Tondo), 1974

Alan Shields

Untitled (Tondo), 1974

Sale Date: November 18, 2020

Auction Closed

Chicken Shit, 1974

Alan Shields

Chicken Shit, 1974

Sale Date: July 30, 2020

Auction Closed

Detroit, 1973

Alan Shields

Detroit, 1973

Sale Date: July 24, 2020

Auction Closed

Untitled (Composition)

Alan Shields

Untitled (Composition)

Sale Date: February 22, 2020

Auction Closed

Lonely Night, 1969

Alan Shields

Lonely Night, 1969

Sale Date: November 20, 2019

Auction Closed