10 MOST BEAUTIFUL ABSTRACT SCULPTURES

Abstract sculptures change space. Adding a third dimension, artists have exponentially more ways to stretch their ideas, more ways to express themselves.

Some, like Georges Braque, began as painters, exploring abstract expressionism through color, shape and texture on canvas, before pushing into abstract 3D. Others, like Dale Chihuly, began with a sculptural medium, and pushed its boundaries.

We’ve curated a collection of the most abstract sculptures, available for sale at 1stdibs. Check them out! They can change your space, change your mind, and maybe even change your world!

1. GLACIAL SERIES: DROP STONES 1, 2, & 3 - SHAYNE DARK

This large scale outdoor abstract sculpture installation, by Shayne Dark, consists of three hollow, polygonal corten steel boulders called “Drop Stones.” They have developed a rusted, weathered patina. Dark’s “Glacial” series evokes massive chunks of rock that have been shaped and carried hundreds of kilometres by glacial ice. These abstracted steel stones create a natural tension contrasting our experience of nature in an urban setting.

Glacial Series: Drop Stone 1- 108 x 100 x 95 inches
Glacial Series: Drop Stone 2- 65 x 54 x 70 inches
Glacial Series: Drop Stone 3- 36 x 40 x 38 inches

Available at 1stdibs.

2. BATON (CATAPULTA II) -- JOHN VAN ALSTINE

River stone and pigmented steel metal are central in John Van Alstine’s abstract sculpture, entitled BATON (Catapulta II). “The interaction of these materials is a major focus,” he explains. “On the most basic level the work is about the marriage of the natural with the human-made.”

In contrast to the timelessness of stone, the found-object metal is time-specific - 20th century industrial. The metal physically connects the stone element, allowing a "choreographing" or "floating" of stone to produce a compelling physical irony.

The works strives to communicate on a number of different levels; physical, symbolic, metaphorical. 7.7 in.Hx15 in.Wx4.5 in.D

Available at 1stdibs.

3. MAYBE -- RICHARD HUDSON

Richard Hudson’s abstract steel sculpture, entitled “Maybe,” is all about curves and  reflectivity, bending both light and thought.

Available at 1stdibs.

4. HOPE - SANTIAGO MEDINA

“Hope,” an abstract sculpture, by Columbian-American artist Santiago Medina, is an emblematic piece. Made of highly polished Italian marine stainless steel, with slickly surfaced twirling shapes and a see-through orifice, this piece would stand tall, blending nature and industry in beautiful harmony. Medina’s sculptures are installed at marquee public art venues such as Harvard, Tufts, and Washington University among many others. His art is displayed throughout the world in multiple important public art venues and museums.

Available at 1stdibs.

5. CONTORTION -- KARSTEN OAKS

“Contortion,” by Karsten Oaks, is an impressive abstract sculpture, standing just over 3' tall. It is hand carved and polished from non-leaded crystal. This piece remarkably balanced -- an engineering feat, given its height and relatively small footprint.

Oaks is recognized as one of the top coldworkers in the United States. He does finishing coldwork (cutting, grinding and polishing) for some of the most prominent glass artists in the world, most notably Lino Tagliapietra.

“Contortion” is the largest sculpture the artist has created to date. It is predominately clear and is accented with tints of blue and a hint of violet.

Available at 1stdibs.

6. RENDEZVOUS -- SALLY HEPLER

“Rendezvous,” an abstract sculpture by Sally Hepler, explores the inside and outside of a circle. The work is simultaneously simple and complex.

Made of hand-fabricated bronze, with a powder-coated steel base, the piece took hundreds of hours to make, working with multiple templates from intricate models. The metal was precisely cut, with the separate elements shaped, welded, reshaped hydraulically, welded further, chased, patinated, sealed, and mounted, yet it flows effortlessly, with joy.

Available at 1stdibs.

7. INTERPRETATIONS OF A WAVE - PAUL VON RINGELHEIM

“Interpretations of a Wave,” by Austrian-American artist Paul von Ringelheim, is a  vibrant abstract expressionist painted steel flame cut sculpture. It is a remarkable study of spatial dynamism, with extraordinary boldness of form and color.

Available at 1stdibs.

8. CIRCE -- GEORGES BRAQUE

“Circe,” by Georges Braque, is an exquisite abstract Daum Glass Sculpture, made using a technique of working with glass has existed since Antiquity, popularized with the advent of Art Nouveau. It is remarkable in its translucence, brilliance, finely nuanced color, and intense moiré effects. Daum was selected to produce seventeen of Braque’s works, all coming from the Metamorphoses gouache sketches.

Available at 1stdibs.

9. VORTEX: ACACIA AURICULIFORMIS SEED POD -- ANNE CURRY

“Vortex: Acacia Auriculiformis Seed Pod,” by Anne Curry, is an abstract sculpture that is cast to order, either in resin or bronze, with a variety of color finish options.

Curry is a member of the Royal British Society of Sculptors. Her outdoor sculpture is exhibited at major exhibition gardens around the UK, her work can be found in collections across Europe, Asia and America, while her sculpture has been featured at the world-famous Venice Art Biennale. 

Drawing inspiration from plant forms, her work evokes the power of life at work in nature. At its core are the curves, spirals of growth, the unfolding of leaves and flowers, the bursting of seed pods (as here) - all of which imply controlled movement, a disciplined and mathematical progression.

Available at 1stdibs.

10. UNTITLED -- DALE CHIHULY

Renowned artist Dale Chihuly is best known for his abstract expressions in glass. This Untitled piece is one of his Baskets series. Chihuly has often called Baskets the most innovative work he’s done. Experimenting with the use of fire, gravity and centrifugal force, Chihuly found new ways to create asymmetrical vessels with thin, undulating walls. He often groups them in sets, with several small pieces nested within larger, wide-mouthed forms.

This piece, in Millennial pink, depicts abstracted sea shells and plants.

Available at 1stdibs.

Read more about Beautiful Abstract in Earth As Abstract Artist, Emotions Are Abstract Art and The Heart & Soul of Beautiful Abstracts.

And check out more beautiful things happening now in BN Mind/Body, Soul/Impact, Nature/Science, Food/Drink, Arts/Design, and Place/Time, Daily Fix posts.

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IMAGE CREDITS:

1. Image: “Glacial Series: Drop Stones 1, 2 and 3,” by Shayne Dark. Installation at Brooklyn Botanical Garden. Courtesy of 1stdibs.
2. Image: “Glacial Series: Drop Stones 1, 2 and 3,” by Shayne Dark. Installation at Brooklyn Botanical Garden. Courtesy of 1stdibs.
3. Image: Sculpture by John Van Alstine. “BATON (Catapulta II).” Courtesy of 1stdibs.
4. Image: “Maybe,” by Richard Hudson. Courtesy of 1stdibs.
5. Image: “Hope,” by Santiago Medina. Courtesy of 1stdibs.
6. Image: “Contortion,” by Karsten Oaks. Courtesy of 1stdibs.
7. Image: “Rendezvous,” by Sally Hepler. Courtesy of 1stdibs.
8. Image: “Interpretations of a Wave,” by Paul Von Ringelheim. Courtesy of 1stdibs.
9. Image: “Circe,” by Georges Braque. Courtesy of 1stdibs.
10. Image: “Vortex: Acacia Auriculiformis Seed Pod,” by Anne Curry. Courtesy of 1stdibs.
11. Image: Untitled, by Dale Chihuly. Courtesy of 1stdibs.
12. Image: “Larkspur Seaform Set,” by Dale Chihuly. Courtesy of 1stdibs.
13. Image: “Keeper of the Place,” by Anne Curry. Courtesy of 1stdibs.
14. Image: “Spiral,” by Paul Von Ringelheim. Courtesy of 1stdibs.