Keith Sonnier

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Neon Wrapping Incandescent, 1969

Neon and incandescent bulbs
H 87 x 46 x 20 inches, Unique

Keith Sonnier<br/><em>Demi-Lune</em>, 1968

Demi-Lune, 1968

Fabric, neon, brass screen, incandescent light bulb, poreclain fixture, transformer and electrical wire
H 108 x 53 x 7 inches, Unique

Keith Sonnier<br/><em>Lit Circle Red with Flutex</em>, 1970

Lit Circle Red with Flutex, 1970

Glass, neon, flutex glass, transformer and electrical wire
H 59.5 x 60 x 8 inches x 5 feet, Unique

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Keith Sonnier started his career in the mid-1960's, showing at Leo Castelli in New York, alongside contemporaries Carl Andre, Dan Flavin, and Sol LeWitt. Like them, he created abstract art. Keith Sonnier used a hodge-podge of materials found in that grand bazaar of the streets of New York. With his unique eye, he composed works from numerous fabrics and ribbons, imbuing them with a quasi-erotic quality. Keith Sonnier's first works, gathered and assembled using a restrictive amount of materials, were confined and highly structured. Contrary to his contemporaries, his works are more narrative and literary through his use of materials that prove to be less aggressive, more sensual.

Born in Mamou, Louisiane, USA in 1941. He lives and work in New York City.

His work has been the focus of a number of exhibitions in France and throughout the world. Recently his work has appeared most notably in exhibitions such as « When Attitudes Become Form » à la Fondation Prada in Venice (2013), « Dynamo » at the Grand-Palais in Paris (2013) et « Neon : Who's afraid of red, yellow and blue ? »at the Maison Rouge (2012) in Paris and at the MACRO à Rome.

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