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)
Untitled, 1980

Alan Shields

Untitled, 1980

Sale Date: January 23, 2012

Auction Closed

Untitled (Composition), 1980

Alan Shields

Untitled (Composition), 1980

Sale Date: January 23, 2012

Auction Closed

Untitled (Composition), 1970

Alan Shields

Untitled (Composition), 1970

Sale Date: January 23, 2012

Auction Closed

Untitled (Composition)

Alan Shields

Untitled (Composition)

Sale Date: January 23, 2012

Auction Closed

Untitled, 1971

Alan Shields

Untitled, 1971

Sale Date: October 22, 2011

Auction Closed

Bull-pen, 1984

Alan Shields

Bull-pen, 1984

Sale Date: October 25, 2011

Auction Closed

Santa's collar, 1981

Alan Shields

Santa's collar, 1981

Sale Date: October 25, 2011

Auction Closed

Wadle II, 1970

Alan Shields

Wadle II, 1970

Sale Date: October 4, 2011

Auction Closed

The sea wall dream (+ Rocking horse bridge..., 1974

Alan Shields

The sea wall dream (+ Rocking horse bridge..., 1974

Sale Date: September 22, 2011

Auction Closed

Trade route (Roman), 1985

Alan Shields

Trade route (Roman), 1985

Sale Date: May 1, 2011

Auction Closed

My roller derby queen, 1974

Alan Shields

My roller derby queen, 1974

Sale Date: February 24, 2011

Auction Closed

Black bart, 1974

Alan Shields

Black bart, 1974

Sale Date: November 24, 2010

Auction Closed

Tea bag classic, 1980

Alan Shields

Tea bag classic, 1980

Sale Date: November 13, 2010

Auction Closed

Wingtip, 1984

Alan Shields

Wingtip, 1984

Sale Date: October 16, 2010

Auction Closed

Untitled

Alan Shields

Untitled

Sale Date: September 12, 2010

Auction Closed

Ripple effect, 1983–1984

Alan Shields

Ripple effect, 1983–1984

Sale Date: July 22, 2010

Auction Closed

Ibis (+ 2 others; 3 works), 1993

Alan Shields

Ibis (+ 2 others; 3 works), 1993

Sale Date: May 15, 2010

Auction Closed

Big deal, 1978

Alan Shields

Big deal, 1978

Sale Date: February 19, 2010

Auction Closed

Untitled, 1975

Alan Shields

Untitled, 1975

Sale Date: September 17, 2009

Auction Closed

My roller derby queen, 1974

Alan Shields

My roller derby queen, 1974

Sale Date: February 26, 2009

Auction Closed

Ski slope window, 1977

Alan Shields

Ski slope window, 1977

Sale Date: February 22, 2009

Auction Closed

Yellow band aid n836, 1975

Alan Shields

Yellow band aid n836, 1975

Sale Date: November 21, 2008

Auction Closed

The rag pimple, 1973

Alan Shields

The rag pimple, 1973

Sale Date: November 16, 2008

Auction Closed

Yellowlegs (+ 2 others; 3 works from..., 1992

Alan Shields

Yellowlegs (+ 2 others; 3 works from..., 1992

Sale Date: July 31, 2008

Auction Closed