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)
A.A.M.B., 1975

Alan Shields

A.A.M.B., 1975

Sale Date: October 23, 2019

Auction Closed

Untitled, 1982

Alan Shields

Untitled, 1982

Sale Date: July 18, 2019

Auction Closed

Jason's Rabbit Holler with Flying Rabbits..., 1980

Alan Shields

Jason's Rabbit Holler with Flying Rabbits..., 1980

Sale Date: June 22, 2019

Auction Closed

FRENCH POT BOILER, 1974

Alan Shields

FRENCH POT BOILER, 1974

Sale Date: March 7, 2019

Auction Closed

Synchromesh, from Soft and Fluffy Gears, 1987

Alan Shields

Synchromesh, from Soft and Fluffy Gears, 1987

Sale Date: April 23, 2019

Auction Closed

Worm with a Spur, from Soft and Fluffy Gears, 1987

Alan Shields

Worm with a Spur, from Soft and Fluffy Gears, 1987

Sale Date: April 23, 2019

Auction Closed

N.B.C. PEA-COCK, 1976

Alan Shields

N.B.C. PEA-COCK, 1976

Sale Date: March 6, 2019

Auction Closed

Untitled, 1987

Alan Shields

Untitled, 1987

Sale Date: November 10, 2018

Auction Closed

TWO MIXED MEDIA WORKS ON PAPER

Alan Shields

TWO MIXED MEDIA WORKS ON PAPER

Sale Date: October 7, 2018

Auction Closed

Particles II

Alan Shields

Particles II

Sale Date: May 11, 2018

Auction Closed

Particles I

Alan Shields

Particles I

Sale Date: May 11, 2018

Auction Closed

Energy Patterns I

Alan Shields

Energy Patterns I

Sale Date: May 11, 2018

Auction Closed

Bull-Pen, 1984

Alan Shields

Bull-Pen, 1984

Sale Date: May 11, 2018

Auction Closed

Detroit, 1973

Alan Shields

Detroit, 1973

Sale Date: December 12, 2017

Auction Closed

Untitled

Alan Shields

Untitled

Sale Date: November 11, 2017

Auction Closed

Untitled, 1985, 1985

Alan Shields

Untitled, 1985, 1985

Sale Date: October 21, 2017

Auction Closed

NATORIAL ROUTE, FROM RAGGEDY..., 1985

Alan Shields

NATORIAL ROUTE, FROM RAGGEDY..., 1985

Sale Date: September 13, 2017

Auction Closed

James Wislo, B. L.

Alan Shields

James Wislo, B. L.

Sale Date: October 22, 2016

Auction Closed

Dingle Berry, 1969

Alan Shields

Dingle Berry, 1969

Sale Date: October 22, 2016

Auction Closed

Abstract

Alan Shields

Abstract

Sale Date: October 8, 2016

Auction Closed

Lonely Night, 1969

Alan Shields

Lonely Night, 1969

Sale Date: May 18, 2016

Auction Closed

Uncle Ferdinand's Route, 1985

Alan Shields

Uncle Ferdinand's Route, 1985

Sale Date: April 16, 2016

Auction Closed

Dragonfly Chip Series: Edna, 1989

Alan Shields

Dragonfly Chip Series: Edna, 1989

Sale Date: March 31, 2016

Auction Closed

Milan Fog

Alan Shields

Milan Fog

Sale Date: May 21, 2015

Auction Closed