Keith Sonnier

(American, 1941–2020)

Keith Sonnier was a contemporary American artist known for his pioneering light sculptures. Employing materials such as latex, neon, and found objects, Sonnier achieved a drawing-like quality with his sculptures. “I love light in my work but I was never influenced by neon signage in itself, rather its effect on nature and architecture,” he once explained. Born on July 31, 1941 in Mamou, LA, he received his BA from the University of Southwestern Louisiana in 1963, and his MFA from Rutgers University in 1966. It was during his time at Rutgers, that Sonnier became influenced by Robert Morris. By the late 1960s, he along with his peers Bruce Nauman and Dan Flavin, began employing neon tube lights in their work. Over the years, he incorporated materials used by other cultures into sculptural installations. Sonnier passed away on July 18, 2020 at the age of 78. His works are held in the collections of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., The Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, and the National Gallery of Australia in Canberra, among others.

Keith Sonnier Artworks

Keith Sonnier (210 results)
VIDEO STILL SERIES: SCREEN I-V  (Gemini      , 1973

Keith Sonnier

VIDEO STILL SERIES: SCREEN I-V (Gemini , 1973

Sale Date: October 5, 1994

Auction Closed

SAKAKI, 1984

Keith Sonnier

SAKAKI, 1984

Sale Date: September 29, 1994

Auction Closed

B.A-O-B.A

Keith Sonnier

B.A-O-B.A

Sale Date: November 28, 1993

Auction Closed

ORBIT II, 1978

Keith Sonnier

ORBIT II, 1978

Sale Date: October 20, 1993

Auction Closed

DRAWING FOR KIOSK I, 1987

Keith Sonnier

DRAWING FOR KIOSK I, 1987

Sale Date: November 17, 1992

Auction Closed

FA (RECONSTRUCTION), 1969–1974

Keith Sonnier

FA (RECONSTRUCTION), 1969–1974

Sale Date: October 6, 1992

Auction Closed

REUNIC DIPTYCH, 1986

Keith Sonnier

REUNIC DIPTYCH, 1986

Sale Date: May 9, 1992

Auction Closed

NO TITLED GIVEN, 1968

Keith Sonnier

NO TITLED GIVEN, 1968

Sale Date: November 14, 1991

Auction Closed

Sans titre, 1970

Keith Sonnier

Sans titre, 1970

Sale Date: October 9, 1991

Auction Closed

Untitled, 1973

Keith Sonnier

Untitled, 1973

Sale Date: May 11, 1991

Auction Closed

FM-AM, 1974–1974

Keith Sonnier

FM-AM, 1974–1974

Sale Date: March 20, 1991

Auction Closed

Sans titre, 1970–1970

Keith Sonnier

Sans titre, 1970–1970

Sale Date: June 18, 1990

Auction Closed

SLANTED TUFT, 1968–1968

Keith Sonnier

SLANTED TUFT, 1968–1968

Sale Date: May 9, 1990

Auction Closed

Untitled, 1971–1971

Keith Sonnier

Untitled, 1971–1971

Sale Date: May 3, 1989

Auction Closed

Runic Diptych

Keith Sonnier

Runic Diptych

Sale Date: February 15, 1989

Auction Closed

Untitled

Keith Sonnier

Untitled

Sale Date: February 15, 1989

Auction Closed

AESTHESIPOL SERIES, 1982–1982

Keith Sonnier

AESTHESIPOL SERIES, 1982–1982

Sale Date: February 14, 1989

Auction Closed

Untitled, 1972–1972

Keith Sonnier

Untitled, 1972–1972

Sale Date: February 13, 1989

Auction Closed