Breaking News: Pioneering Sculptor Joel Shapiro Passes Away at 83
Pace Gallery announces the death of Joel Shapiro, celebrated artist who expanded the language of modern sculpture.
Pioneering Sculptor Joel Shapiro Dies at 83
Pace Gallery of New York has announced the passing of renowned sculptor Joel Shapiro, who died on Saturday, June 14, 2025, at the age of 83. Shapiro’s contributions to modern sculpture started in the 1960s and have shaped the art landscape for over six decades.
Arne Glimcher, founder and president of the Pace Gallery, shared a moving statement: “For over 30 years, it was an honor to represent Joel Shapiro and consider him a dear friend. His first sculptures expanded the possibilities of scale, and in his mature figurative sculptures he was able to channel the forces of nature.” He continued, “With inexhaustible inventiveness, the precariousness of the balance expressed pure energy, as well as Joel. I will miss him deeply.”
Legacy and Impact
Born in 1941, Shapiro was a visionary artist whose work transcended the boundaries of minimalism. From his early small sculptures like houses and chairs to major public installations, Shapiro’s art resonated with psychological depth and human references. His works can be seen across the globe in cities such as Washington, Paris, Amsterdam, Guangzhou, and Ottawa.
Shapiro was renowned for his unbalanced geometric figures which suspended between abstraction and figuration. His pieces, often made in bronze but visually reminiscent of wood, seemed on the verge of collapse. This precariousness was a profound expression of energy and movement.
International Recognition
Throughout his career, Shapiro’s work was featured in major museums including the Whitney Museum and MoMA in New York, Musée d’Orsay in Paris, Tate in London, and many others. He received numerous accolades, such as being a member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters since 1998 and receiving the Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres from the French Ministry of Culture in 2005.
His public works include installations at the Washington Holocaust Museum and the American Consulate in Guangzhou. Shapiro’s work evolved to become more experimental, focusing on assembled, suspended structures imbued with color and movement.
Future Implications
As we mourn the loss of Joel Shapiro, his legacy continues to inspire new generations of artists. His experiments with form, space, and balance set a high standard for contemporary artists exploring similar concepts. Shapiro’s belief that “art is a moment of kidnapping, of realization” remains a powerful reminder of the transformative nature of art.
Visiting museums and galleries worldwide, people can still experience his dynamic and evocative sculptures. This makes Understanding Shapiro’s work through future exhibitions and retrospectives an essential way to keep his spirit and ideas alive.
