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)
Skit, skat, 1974–1975

Alan Shields

Skit, skat, 1974–1975

Sale Date: May 19, 1999

Auction Closed

Treasure map #5

Alan Shields

Treasure map #5

Sale Date: June 24, 1998

Auction Closed

Trespass, iron, trau

Alan Shields

Trespass, iron, trau

Sale Date: November 25, 1997

Auction Closed

Liguid plumber's revenge, 1978

Alan Shields

Liguid plumber's revenge, 1978

Sale Date: October 19, 1995

Auction Closed

Ohne Titel, 1975

Alan Shields

Ohne Titel, 1975

Sale Date: June 11, 1994

Auction Closed

Ohne Titel, 1975

Alan Shields

Ohne Titel, 1975

Sale Date: June 11, 1994

Auction Closed

Red Mutt, 1973

Alan Shields

Red Mutt, 1973

Sale Date: June 11, 1994

Auction Closed

Untitled, 1970

Alan Shields

Untitled, 1970

Sale Date: May 5, 1994

Auction Closed

Popeye Hic-Mu, 1969

Alan Shields

Popeye Hic-Mu, 1969

Sale Date: February 24, 1994

Auction Closed

ALAN SHEILD'S SHEILD, 1974

Alan Shields

ALAN SHEILD'S SHEILD, 1974

Sale Date: June 14, 1993

Auction Closed

PEACE OF THE ROCK, 1974

Alan Shields

PEACE OF THE ROCK, 1974

Sale Date: June 14, 1993

Auction Closed

MY ROLLER DERBY QUEEN, 1974

Alan Shields

MY ROLLER DERBY QUEEN, 1974

Sale Date: June 14, 1993

Auction Closed

A4  A12 - INTERNATIONAL TEDDY BEAR, 1973

Alan Shields

A4 A12 - INTERNATIONAL TEDDY BEAR, 1973

Sale Date: June 14, 1993

Auction Closed

SUN/MOON TITLE PAGE/PAMPAS LITTLE JOE, 1971

Alan Shields

SUN/MOON TITLE PAGE/PAMPAS LITTLE JOE, 1971

Sale Date: June 14, 1993

Auction Closed

O.J.  SCABA-PRO, 1974

Alan Shields

O.J. SCABA-PRO, 1974

Sale Date: June 14, 1993

Auction Closed

JACKIE LAUGH, 1974

Alan Shields

JACKIE LAUGH, 1974

Sale Date: June 14, 1993

Auction Closed

PLASTIC BUCKET, 1981

Alan Shields

PLASTIC BUCKET, 1981

Sale Date: November 7, 1992

Auction Closed

WORK

Alan Shields

WORK

Sale Date: May 15, 1991

Auction Closed

2 SIDES PICKLE.

Alan Shields

2 SIDES PICKLE.

Sale Date: February 12, 1991

Auction Closed

C,B.A.R.L.A.A.(OLD)Y.(ODD)O.

Alan Shields

C,B.A.R.L.A.A.(OLD)Y.(ODD)O.

Sale Date: April 4, 1990

Auction Closed

DOUBLE REED STAND

Alan Shields

DOUBLE REED STAND

Sale Date: February 27, 1990

Auction Closed

FRANK P. BIGGS (JAILHOUSE ROCKS), 1970–1970

Alan Shields

FRANK P. BIGGS (JAILHOUSE ROCKS), 1970–1970

Sale Date: February 27, 1990

Auction Closed

Untitled, 1969–1969

Alan Shields

Untitled, 1969–1969

Sale Date: May 9, 1989

Auction Closed

Untitled, 1969–1969

Alan Shields

Untitled, 1969–1969

Sale Date: May 9, 1989

Auction Closed