James Turrell

(American, born 1943)

James Turrell is an American artist known for his large-scale, immersive light installations. Interested in all aspects of human perception, among the most famous and ambitious of Turrell’s works is Roden Crater (1977–present), an ongoing project of transforming a natural Arizona crater into a naked-eye observatory. “My work is about your seeing,” he once explained. “There is a rich tradition in painting of work about light, but it is not light—it is the record of seeing. My material is light, and it is responsive to your seeing.” Born on May 6, 1943, in Los Angeles, CA to Quaker parents, he graduated from Pomona College in 1965 with a degree in perceptual psychology. While enrolled in the graduate studio art program at the University of California, he began experimenting with light installations. While at school his peers included Robert Irwin, Mary Corse, and Doug Wheeler—together, they became known as the Light and Space Group. Turrell’s accolades include a 1974 Guggenheim Fellowship, a 1984 MacArthur Grant, and the National Medal of Arts in 2013. To date, over 82 of the artist’s Skyspaces have been installed. Turrell currently lives and works in Flagstaff, AZ. His works are held in the collections of The Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the Mattress Factory in Pittsburgh, and the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., among others.

James Turrell News

New York's Corporate Lobbies Are Filled With Famous Art Commissions. Here Are the Coolest and Most Eye-Rolling Choices

New York's Corporate Lobbies Are Filled With Famous Art Commissions. Here Are the Coolest and Most Eye-Rolling Choices

by Brian Boucher
In Las Vegas, You'll Find Top-Notch Art in Casinos, Bars, Malls, Even the Desert—Everywhere Except Museums

In Las Vegas, You'll Find Top-Notch Art in Casinos, Bars, Malls, Even the Desert—Everywhere Except Museums

by Janelle Zara
Amid Reports of Turbulence and Tension, Marc Glimcher and Laurene Powell Jobs Stepped Back From Experiential-Art Emporium Superblue

Amid Reports of Turbulence and Tension, Marc Glimcher and Laurene Powell Jobs Stepped Back From Experiential-Art Emporium Superblue

by Eileen Kinsella
A New Culture Hub in Mexico City Pairs Sustainable Dining With Art for a Rare Experience in the Chapultepec Forest

A New Culture Hub in Mexico City Pairs Sustainable Dining With Art for a Rare Experience in the Chapultepec Forest

by Eileen Kinsella

James Turrell Artworks

Artworks for Sale &
Auction Results

James Turrell (287 results)
Carn (for Parkett 25), 1967

James Turrell

Carn (for Parkett 25), 1967

Sale Date: October 31, 2023

Auction Closed

Deep Sky (portfolio of seven), 1984

James Turrell

Deep Sky (portfolio of seven), 1984

Sale Date: October 24, 2023

Auction Closed

Squat (for Parkett 25), 1990

James Turrell

Squat (for Parkett 25), 1990

Sale Date: October 12, 2023

Auction Closed

White Crater Top, 1992

James Turrell

White Crater Top, 1992

Sale Date: July 13, 2023

Auction Closed

Four Lights Installations, Collector's..., 1982

James Turrell

Four Lights Installations, Collector's..., 1982

Sale Date: June 26, 2023

Auction Closed

Black Valcona, 1988

James Turrell

Black Valcona, 1988

Sale Date: June 21, 2023

Auction Closed

Squat (for Parkett 25), 1990

James Turrell

Squat (for Parkett 25), 1990

Sale Date: June 21, 2023

Auction Closed

Key Lime, 1997

James Turrell

Key Lime, 1997

Sale Date: June 1, 2023

Auction Closed

Image Stone: Moon Side, 1999

James Turrell

Image Stone: Moon Side, 1999

Sale Date: March 8, 2023

Auction Closed

Double Ellipse Blue and Green, 2008

James Turrell

Double Ellipse Blue and Green, 2008

Sale Date: March 3, 2023

Auction Closed

The Crater, Before, 1982

James Turrell

The Crater, Before, 1982

Sale Date: February 17, 2023

Auction Closed

Eclipse A (a set of 4), 1999

James Turrell

Eclipse A (a set of 4), 1999

Sale Date: January 13, 2023

Auction Closed

Carn, 1990

James Turrell

Carn, 1990

Sale Date: December 11, 2022

Auction Closed

Squat (from “Still Light” series), 1989

James Turrell

Squat (from “Still Light” series), 1989

Sale Date: December 8, 2022

Auction Closed

Untitled (First Light Series), 1989, 1989

James Turrell

Untitled (First Light Series), 1989, 1989

Sale Date: December 8, 2022

Auction Closed

First light series, 1989

James Turrell

First light series, 1989

Sale Date: December 1, 2022

Auction Closed

Untitled (XC), 2004

James Turrell

Untitled (XC), 2004

Sale Date: November 16, 2022

Auction Closed

Hologram #10, 2008

James Turrell

Hologram #10, 2008

Sale Date: November 1, 2022

Auction Closed

First Light, 1989

James Turrell

First Light, 1989

Sale Date: October 24, 2022

Auction Closed

Corrected RC Site Plan, 1988–1992

James Turrell

Corrected RC Site Plan, 1988–1992

Sale Date: October 16, 2022

Auction Closed

Magnatron Series: Cisco 2000, 2000

James Turrell

Magnatron Series: Cisco 2000, 2000

Sale Date: September 13, 2022

Auction Closed

Image Stone: Moon Side, 1999

James Turrell

Image Stone: Moon Side, 1999

Sale Date: July 19, 2022

Auction Closed

North Chamber and Crater Bowl/Cross Section..., 1987

James Turrell

North Chamber and Crater Bowl/Cross Section..., 1987

Sale Date: June 29, 2022

Auction Closed

Crater Bowl/Cross Section (from the Mapping..., 1988

James Turrell

Crater Bowl/Cross Section (from the Mapping..., 1988

Sale Date: June 16, 2022

Auction Closed

English (US)

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