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)
The rag pimple, 1973

Alan Shields

The rag pimple, 1973

Sale Date: May 18, 2008

Auction Closed

Not too riskey, 1973

Alan Shields

Not too riskey, 1973

Sale Date: April 23, 2008

Auction Closed

Bull-pen, 1984

Alan Shields

Bull-pen, 1984

Sale Date: February 8, 2008

Auction Closed

Sushi bar, 1981

Alan Shields

Sushi bar, 1981

Sale Date: February 8, 2008

Auction Closed

Work, 1981

Alan Shields

Work, 1981

Sale Date: May 20, 2007

Auction Closed

Bull-pen, 1984

Alan Shields

Bull-pen, 1984

Sale Date: February 9, 2006

Auction Closed

Gas-up, 1984

Alan Shields

Gas-up, 1984

Sale Date: February 9, 2006

Auction Closed

Odd-job, 1984

Alan Shields

Odd-job, 1984

Sale Date: February 9, 2006

Auction Closed

Yoni smile, 2000–2000

Alan Shields

Yoni smile, 2000–2000

Sale Date: May 16, 2004

Auction Closed

Untitled, 1972–1972

Alan Shields

Untitled, 1972–1972

Sale Date: May 16, 2004

Auction Closed

Kirk Archimedes, 1970–1971

Alan Shields

Kirk Archimedes, 1970–1971

Sale Date: May 16, 2004

Auction Closed

Gas-up, 1984–1984

Alan Shields

Gas-up, 1984–1984

Sale Date: February 12, 2004

Auction Closed

Odd-job, 1984–1984

Alan Shields

Odd-job, 1984–1984

Sale Date: November 1, 2003

Auction Closed

Josh's route, 1985–1985

Alan Shields

Josh's route, 1985–1985

Sale Date: October 30, 2003

Auction Closed

Bull horn, 1974–1974

Alan Shields

Bull horn, 1974–1974

Sale Date: July 23, 2003

Auction Closed

Josh's route, 1985–1985

Alan Shields

Josh's route, 1985–1985

Sale Date: July 2, 2003

Auction Closed

Odd-job, 1984–1984

Alan Shields

Odd-job, 1984–1984

Sale Date: November 9, 2002

Auction Closed

Winter heater print

Alan Shields

Winter heater print

Sale Date: May 2, 2002

Auction Closed

Not too riskey, 1973–1973

Alan Shields

Not too riskey, 1973–1973

Sale Date: April 25, 2002

Auction Closed

Box sweet Jane's egg triumvirate: I,..., 1978–1978

Alan Shields

Box sweet Jane's egg triumvirate: I,..., 1978–1978

Sale Date: November 3, 2000

Auction Closed

Block party D, 1993–1993

Alan Shields

Block party D, 1993–1993

Sale Date: November 3, 2000

Auction Closed

Moon over Miame Joanie, 1968–1968

Alan Shields

Moon over Miame Joanie, 1968–1968

Sale Date: December 14, 1999

Auction Closed

Untitled, 1974–1975

Alan Shields

Untitled, 1974–1975

Sale Date: November 10, 1999

Auction Closed

Fire escape plan, 1981–1981

Alan Shields

Fire escape plan, 1981–1981

Sale Date: May 19, 1999

Auction Closed