In 1967, artist Sol LeWitt wrote that in “Conceptual art the idea or concept is the most important aspect of the work.” He was giving a name to an art movement that had emerged in the 1960s in which artists were less focused on their medium being something traditionally “artistic” and instead engaged in using any object, movement, form, action or place to express an idea.
LeWitt’s work was featured alongside an assemblage of notes, drawings and outlines by other artists in “Working Drawings and Other Visible Things on Paper Not Necessarily Meant to Be Viewed as Art,” a groundbreaking show at New York City’s School of Visual Arts curated by Mel Bochner, another leading exponent of Conceptualism. Building on radical 20th-century statements, like Fountain (1917) by French artist Marcel Duchamp, Conceptual artists around Europe and North and South America were not interested in the commercial art scene and rather directly challenged its systems and values.
Stretching into the 1970s, this movement has also been called Post-Object art and Dematerialized art. Conceptual art reflected a larger era of social and political upheaval. Pieces associated with the style range from Roelof Louw’s Soul City (Pyramid of Oranges) (1967) — a work of installation art that sees fresh oranges stacked into a pyramid from which visitors are allowed to take one orange away — to On Kawara’s “Today” series, which saw the Japanese artist carefully painting a date in white acrylic on canvases consisting of a single color from 1966 to his death in 2014. Artists such as Ed Ruscha, who created the Twentysix Gasoline Stations book — a collection of photos of gas stations that is widely said to be the first modern artists’ book — made photography a major platform for Conceptual art, as did Bruce Nauman, who burned one of Ruscha's books and then photographed it for his own.
Conceptual art’s legacy of questioning artistic authorship, ownership and how to work with complex ideas of space and time had a significant influence on the decades of culture that followed, and it continues to inform art today.
The collection of Conceptual photography, paintings and sculptures on 1stDibs includes artworks by John Baldessari, Jenny Holzer, Lawrence Weiner, Joseph Kosuth and others.
Three Dog Night
By Michael Beam
Located in Buffalo, NY
The title for this work was inspired by the ruminations of Charles Manson in the 2010 publication Charles Manson NOW. “When you come to prison and you stay the fifteen years, all the dogs of the world are dead when you come back out, there is no dog that was a live when you were out last time. The three dog...
Acrylic, Canvas, Glitter, Spray Paint
Make My Day - Chicken Rooster Painting by Marc Zimmerman
Located in Carmel, CA
Make My Day - Chicken Rooster Painting by Marc Zimmerman He stands there, blocking all who dare challenge him in their pursuit to get by. This heroic cock, Charlie, the great intimi...
Oil
Conceptual abstract VII - British sixties art oil painting female artist
Located in Hagley, England
This striking conceptual abstract oil painting is by British artist Penelope Ellis. It was painted in 1963. A superb image and ahead of the conceptual ideas of the swinging sixties a...
Oil
$4,339
Conceptual Abstract VI - British Sixties abstract art oil painting female artist
Located in Hagley, England
This striking conceptual abstract oil painting is by British artist Penelope Ellis. It was painted in 1963. A superb image and ahead of the conceptual ideas of the swinging sixties a...
Oil
Red menina
Located in Barcelona, CT
This artwork showcases a striking figure, central to the composition, with a stark, matte black complexion contrasting sharply against vibrant hues. The character's blue bobbed hair ...
Acrylic
Tractor Replaces the Horse
Located in Buffalo, NY
An original enamel on metal painting by emerging contemporary conceptual artist Craig Sheperd (b. 1984) Craig Sheperd’s paintings, most of which are enamel on metal, were created o...
Metal, Enamel
Living Large - Original Canvas - Signed
Located in New York, NY
Homages to Mr. Monopoly. Conceptual. Vintage magazines in the background to create the narrative. One of a kind. About the Artist: NELSON DE LA NUEZ is one of the most sough...
Canvas, Acrylic, Watercolor, Newsprint
$1,691Sale Price|20% Off
Russian love. 2002, oil on canvas, acrylic, collage, 60x40 cm
Located in Riga, LV
Russian love. 2002, oil on canvas, acrylic, collage, 60x40 cm Igor Leontiev (1957) - one of the leading independent painters in Latvia Born in Riga, La...
Canvas, Oil, Acrylic
Bob Seng, Exit 350, 2002, scraped, collaged, EXIT signs, 8" x 12"
By Bob Seng
Located in Darien, CT
Robert Seng was born and raised in Seattle, served in the US Navy in Vietnam, and finished his BFA and MFA on the GI Bill. He was a founder of Artech, Seattle’s premier art services company, to support his art career. A New York resident since 1986, Seng has worked at Artforum, the Guggenheim Museum and taught at Fairfield University while continuing his studio practice in painting and sculpture. In the mid 1990’s Seng moved into site-specific installation work with collaborator Lisa Hein. Together they have made more than 40 projects with moving light...
Plastic
Bob Seng, Exit 326, 2000, scraped, collaged, EXIT signs, 8" x 12"
By Bob Seng
Located in Darien, CT
Robert Seng was born and raised in Seattle, served in the US Navy in Vietnam, and finished his BFA and MFA on the GI Bill. He was a founder of Artech, Seattle’s premier art services company, to support his art career. A New York resident since 1986, Seng has worked at Artforum, the Guggenheim Museum and taught at Fairfield University while continuing his studio practice in painting and sculpture. In the mid 1990’s Seng moved into site-specific installation work with collaborator Lisa Hein. Together they have made more than 40 projects with moving light...
Plastic
MYSTERY TRAIN
Located in New York, NY
Enamels, oils, acrylics, mounted subway tiles, adhered poster on wood with wood frame created by artist. A confluence of inspirations from the artist's graffiti artistry. About the Artist Born in Belgium and artistically inclined at an early age, V.P. was executing well- defined pencil sketched portraits of anyone who would sit for him by age 4. The family’s emigration to the United States in 1967 landed the 8 year old in the Fordham section of the Bronx at the height of the psychedelic era and POP ART movement. The Fordham Road shopping district offered the young budding artist a fount of inspiration in the form of vibrant Rock & Roll, “black-light” posters in the windows of “head-shops” and the elaborately colored wardrobes of the hippies crowding the boulevard. The pivotal shift in V.P.’s artistic expression was fueled in 1968 by the sight of a Peter Max designed billboard. Armed with magic markers and acrylic paints, V.P. recreated the vibrant designs from Max’s billboard, the music posters in store windows and the paisley patterns of the shirts the “flower children” favored, as well as the names and slogans painted on the walls of the neighborhood. The early seventies brought with it a wondrous sight passing overhead on the sides of the elevated trains. NYC Subway Graffiti had arrived. Looking up and seeing the esoteric names intricately rendered in multi colored swirls and strategically placed on the sides of the trains completely enthralled V.P.’s creative and adventurous spirit. Compelled to be a part of this fascinating movement he watched and rode the subways, deciphering the names and studying the “styles” on the steel rolling art gallery. Using his artistic influences and skills with markers, V.P. created his first moniker “SONIC-ACE” and obsessively drew it in colorful flowing letters to develop his own style. At age 13 he set out to traverse the city, facing dangers and overcoming obstacles to enter an unknown and secretive world in order to join those who inspired him. By 1974, he would change his moniker to “VICTOR-161” and paint hundreds of train cars and soon be admitted into the world famous graffiti clique “WILD STYLE” - an honor bestowed due to peer recognized artistic and stylistic abilities. (WILDSTYLE was created/coined by the iconic TRACY-168) V.P. was a well known and respected “writer” who “pieced” with revered writers of the day, under the aforementioned monikers including aka’s T-BOLT-123, SULFA-ONE, FANTA-ONE, BOND & ACES. V.P. retired from painting NYC subway trains in 1977 with occasional excursions in 1986,1987,1988,1999 & 1992. He continuously expanded his artistic pallet, studying Art History & Graphic Design in college while seeking knowledge from masters in chosen fields of art. His works have shown in independent galleries nationally and are sought after by international collectors, with numerous private commissions. He has been featured in several best selling books and magazines focusing on graffiti art as well as his status of having been a part of the 1970’s “Golden Era” of NYC Subway Graffiti. V.P. works with a variety of mediums including aerosol paints, oils, water color & acrylic paints, often combining mediums as well as blending POP, graffiti and abstract styles of painting onto wood, canvas and metal. His professional artistic background includes commercial art and design, logo design, silk screening, printmaking, large commissioned public murals, sign painting, pin striping and airbrushing cars, sculpting, metal fabrication, woodcarving and tattooing. Exhibitions: Fashion Moda (BXNY) Group Show 1980/Fun Gallery (NYC) group show 1981, Beef Gallery, (LA) Group Show 1981, Gallery International (NYC) Group Show 1985, Susan Greco Gallery (NY) Group Show 1990, Shady Side...
Mixed Media
$11,500
Ellen Hackl Fagan, ColorSoundGrammar_ASOG, 2010, Enamel, Latex, Ink, Graphite
Located in Darien, CT
Inviting the accidental while painting, the artist's materials continue to reveal limitless possibilities for improvisation, like jazz music. Influenced by scientific theories-both real and imagined, kitsch, music, decorative art and indigenous textiles, Fagan's abstract paintings and interactive performance build connections between color and surface to sound. This exploration has led to creating a series of interactive games with viewers, the most recent being The Alphabet Game. To play, viewers select, from colored squares, the color(s) that best represent each note in the familiar ABC Song melody. Through these playful interventions their thoughts about color and music are explored in-depth. Documenting their responses in the form of photographs and notes in journals, Fagan has compiled the results of fifteen artists who played the Alphabet Game during a lecture on color where the artist was the guest presenter in order to create this particular painting. Fagan distilled the data gathered and painted this visualization of a color/sound alphabet based on the colors selected by this artist's group. These alphabet paintings introduce a wonderful completion to this pseudo-scientific investigation and celebrate painting...
Enamel
Waiting from the Cold Country
Located in Atlanta, GA
tony hernandez was born in Atlanta in 1964 and has been painting professionally since 1988. while he is a southern artist, his works are far from the re...
Mixed Media
$8,000Sale Price|33% Off
Flower Goddess - Figurative Paintings - Conceptual Art By Marc Zimmerman
Located in Carmel, CA
Primal woman of the jungle with a headdress of vibrant tropical plants Flower Goddess - Figurative Paintings - Conceptual Art By Marc Zimmerman This masterpiece is exhibited in th...
Oil
1970s Italian Pop Art Tano Festa Signed and Dated Drawing
By Tano Festa
Located in Roma, IT
1970s Tano Festa Signed and Dated Drawing Important work in marker on cardboard by the great Roman artist Tano Festa, one of the major exponents, together with Mario Schifano, of th...
Paper, Permanent Marker
Conceptual Abstract V - British sixties art oil painting female artist
Located in Hagley, England
This striking conceptual abstract oil painting is by British artist Penelope Ellis. It was painted in 1963. A superb image and ahead of the conceptual ideas of the swinging sixties a...
Oil
Blue menina
Located in Barcelona, CT
This artwork presents a stylized figure set against a striking, abstract backdrop. Dominating the canvas, the central figure is adorned in a voluminous, deep blue skirt, evoking a re...
Wood, Acrylic
"Primavera" Landscape by Alvaro Peppoloni
Located in Pasadena, CA
Alvaro Peppoloni, is an Italian Postwar & Contemporary artist, born in 1951, who now finds his artistic sanctuary in Castel Ritaldi, an Italian commune nestled within the Perugia pro...
Oil
Path. Oil on canvas, 90x110 cm
Located in Riga, LV
Path. Oil on canvas, 90x110 cm Victor Karnauh (1950, Dnepropetrovsk Oblast, Ukrainian SSR – 2012, Dnepropetrovsk Oblast, Ukraine) – a painter, a monume...
Canvas, Oil
Far Rockaway Seascape, Conceptual Oil Painting by Vladimir German
Located in Long Island City, NY
Artist: Vladimir German, Russian/American (1940 - ) Title: Far Rockaway Seascape Year: 1988 - 89 Medium: Oil on Paper mounted on Board, signed verso Size: 18.5 in. x 26.25 in. (46.99...
Oil
Rare Abstract Judaica Hebrew Calligraphy Modernist Painting
By William Proweller
Located in Surfside, FL
Abstracted colorful painting of the first verse of the Shema Prayer. (VeAhavta... and you shall love...) William Proweller is an associate professor of art history at S.U.N.Y., Fred...
Other Medium
Silent Grace - 21st Century, Contemporary Oil and African Women Fabrics, Floral
By Bakare Abubakri-sideeq Babatunde
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
The Silent Grace captures the serene profile of a woman, adorned in a bright yellow dress and matching hat, embellished with vibrant patterns. Her deep purple complexion contrasts be...
Fabric, Canvas, Mixed Media, Oil, Acrylic
$2,800
Krishna, Mythology, Acrylic, Tempera, Green, Yellow by Indian Artist "In Stock"
By Aditya Basak
Located in Kolkata, West Bengal
Aditya Basak - Untitled - 36 x 30 inches (unframed size) Acrylic & Tempera on Canvas ** This work will be shipped in a roll form. "Through the medium of the fantasy, Basak probes...
Canvas, Acrylic, Tempera
Untitled
Located in Barcelona, CT
The painting is being offered with a work and authenticity certificate
Oil
$22,000
Audrey
Located in New York, NY
Audrey Hepburn. Portrait. Abstract Feel. Oil on Linen. Sides painted black. About the Artist: Karl has been a fine artist his entire life and is well known for his portraits, seascapes and landscapes. Karl’s numerous accomplishments are evident; You can find his work hanging in over 300 public and private collections, including Interpublic Companies, Merrill Lynch, PepsiCo and the Heisman Trophy...
Canvas, Oil
Seeking Perfection -21st Century Contemporary, Figurative Portrait, Woman Modern
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
Seeking Perfection portrays a young lady clutching a book titled How to Behave on a First Date, her expression a mixture of hope and apprehension. This artwork explores the societal ...
Canvas, Archival Ink, Acrylic
$5,000
Pearl - 21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative, Portrait, Women, Love, Floral
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
Shipping Procedure Ships in a well-protected tube from Nigeria This work is unique, not a print or other type of copy. Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity (Issued by the Gal...
Canvas, Mixed Media, Oil, Acrylic
Cave paintings on paper, Indian ink, hand drawing, leather papyrus style
Located in Carballo, ES
Obsessive, meticulous, almost monastic, Kramer immerses us in a universe of graphic and sculptural repetitions. His drawings on kraft paper glued with rabbit glue recall both ancient...
Ink, Handmade Paper
Anatomical bodies in Indian ink on paper, antique papyrus, human being
Located in Carballo, ES
Obsessive, meticulous, almost monastic, Kramer immerses us in a universe of graphic and sculptural repetitions. His drawings on kraft paper glued with rabbit glue recall both ancient...
Ink, Handmade Paper
$26,000
Untitled
Located in Atlanta, GA
tony hernandez was born in Atlanta in 1964 and has been painting professionally since 1988. while he is a southern artist, his works are far from the re...
Mixed Media
"Backstage Rant" Conceptual Text Based Painting
By David Kramer
Located in New York, NY
This large scale conceptual text based painting by New York artist, David Kramer, features, in bold type the phase: "... I AM STILL WAITING FOR MY...
Oil, Canvas
Untitled
Located in Barcelona, CT
The painting is being offered with a work and authenticity certificate
Lithograph
$1,820
TWO SPACES - Expressive Charcoal On Paper Painting, Black White Drawing
Located in Salzburg, AT
The work is on 1 paper. Krzysztof Gliszczyński is Professor for painting on Academy of fine arts Gdansk. The artwork is unframed and will be...
Paper, Charcoal
Original ink on Paper, Contemporary Blue Abstract Seaweeds , Waves
Located in Carballo, ES
Blue Minimal Painting is an original artwork realized by TUSET in 2020. The painting is unframed, we can frame it in natural wood or black on request. The title of this works is "F...
Ink, Handmade Paper
Contemporary blue painting on paper, Seascape, Abstract Seaweeds
Located in Carballo, ES
This is an original artwork unframed realized by TUSET in 2020. We can frame it in natural wood or black on request. Dimensions: 65 x 50 cm Original and unique piece 1/1. Includes ...
Ink, Handmade Paper
$1,450
Harmony and Freedom - 21st Century Contemporary, Figurative, Portrait, Modern
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
Harmony and Freedom captures the peaceful and reflective mood of the artwork, highlighting the tranquility of the water, which signifies the moment of calm and self-recovery through ...
Canvas, Archival Ink, Mixed Media, Acrylic
Unbridled Joy of Festivity - 21st Century Contemporary, Christmas Holiday, Child
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
Festivity happiness, is the unbridled joy that both young and old experience during Christmas, most especially small children there experience during Christmas, and the way the holid...
Canvas, Archival Ink, Mixed Media, Acrylic
$1,850
Timeless Reflection - 21st Century Contemporary, Figurative, Portrait, Modern
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
Shipping Procedure Ships in a well-protected tube from Nigeria This work is unique, not a print or other type of copy. Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity. About Artist Mic...
Canvas, Acrylic
Set of 2 contemporary paintings, Minimalist Blue Sky on paper
Located in Carballo, ES
Set of 2 Blue Minimal Paintings. This is an original artwork realized by TUSET in 2019. We can frame it in natural wood or black on request. The dimensions of each painting are 41 x...
Ink, Handmade Paper
Little Companion
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
Shipping Procedure FREE Shipping Worldwide Ships in a well-protected tube from Nigeria This work is unique, not a print or other type of copy. Accompanied by a Certificate of Authent...
Canvas, Acrylic
$3,700
Steadfast Gaze 3 - 21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative Portrait, Africa, Girl
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
Shipping Procedure Ships in a well-protected tube from Nigeria This work is unique, not a print or other type of copy. Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity (Issued by the Gal...
Canvas, Acrylic
$2,950
Serenity
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
Shipping Procedure Ships in a well-protected tube from Nigeria This work is unique, not a print or other type of copy. Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity (Issued by the Gal...
Canvas, Acrylic
In rhythm
Located in Zofingen, AG
This minimalist surrealist painting explores rhythm and movement through color and form. On a light blue background — symbolizing space and clarity — thin vertical red stripes occupy...
Canvas, Acrylic
$26,000
Untitled
Located in Atlanta, GA
tony hernandez was born in Atlanta in 1964 and has been painting professionally since 1988. while he is a southern artist, his works are far from the re...
Mixed Media
Remarkable Day 2 -21st Century Contemporary, Figurative, Couple Marriage Culture
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
Shipping Procedure Ships in a well-protected tube from Nigeria This work is unique, not a print or other type of copy. Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity. About Artist Mic...
Canvas, Charcoal, Mixed Media, Acrylic
$1,850
Les Mannequins (The Supermodels) 2 - 21st Century Contemporary, Figurative, Hair
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
Shipping Procedure FREE Shipping Worldwide Ships in a well-protected tube from Nigeria This work is unique, not a print or other type of copy. Accompanied by a Certificate of Authent...
Canvas, Charcoal, Acrylic
Corporate World - 21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative Portrait, Africa Women
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
Shipping Procedure Ships in a well-protected tube. This work is unique, not a print or other type of copy. Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity. About Artist Oluwatobiloba A...
Acrylic, Paper, Ink, Watercolor
Giving Last Respect 1 - 21st Century Contemporary, Celebration of Life and Death
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
The celebration of life and death in Yoruba land is deeply connected to the use of Aso Oke, a traditional and cultural wear of the Yorubas. The ones used in Ondo to celebrate the liv...
Canvas, Charcoal, Mixed Media, Acrylic
$1,850
Unraveling - 21st Century Contemporary, Figurative Portrait, Woman, Modern
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
Shipping Procedure Ships in a well-protected tube from Nigeria This work is unique, not a print or other type of copy. Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity. About Artist Mic...
Canvas, Acrylic
$5,215Sale Price|20% Off
"Antique games. Antique drama." Original conceptual painting. Large. Horizontal
Located in Oslo, NO
In the paintings of this series , images of antique figures and statues are used to talk about the eternal in modern language , as well as to present antiquity in a modern way .The w...
Canvas, Ink, Spray Paint, Acrylic
$2,232
Painting made with a painter's cotton t-shirt and tissue paper, red and white
Located in Carballo, ES
Painting made by Peter Kramer with a t-shirt found on Malpica beach, belonging to a ship painter. The painting is made with handmade tissue paper. The measurements are 80 x 80 cm. F...
Cotton, Acrylic, Tissue Paper
Radiance of Joy 1 - 21st Century, Contemporary, African, Women, Happily Smiling
By Bakare Abubakri-sideeq Babatunde
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
Shipping Procedure FREE Shipping Worldwide Ships in a well-protected tube from Nigeria. This work is unique, not a print or other type of copy. Accompanied by a Certificate of Authen...
Fabric, Canvas, Oil, Acrylic, Mixed Media
$1,315Sale Price|20% Off
Contemporary abstract portrait of women acrylic on canvas "Diversity in Unity"
Located in VÉNISSIEUX, FR
This contemporary abstract painting de depicting a portrait of two women, titled "Diversity in Unity," was created by French artist Natalya Mougenot. The artwork explores the theme o...
Canvas, Acrylic
"Under construction", Painting with concrete on paper, Land art / Earthworks
Located in Carballo, ES
This new series of works by the multidisciplinary artist TUSET (1997, A Coruña) shows us a completely unique dynamic. In these works he uses the concrete of the construction as picto...
Concrete
Silent Echoes
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
Shipping Procedure FREE Shipping Worldwide Ships in a well-protected tube from Nigeria This work is unique, not a print or other type of copy. Accompanied by a Certificate of Authent...
Canvas, Acrylic
$2,650
Unknown Soldier - 21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative, Military, Veteran, Men
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
Shipping Procedure FREE Shipping Worldwide Ships in a well-protected tube from Nigeria This work is unique, not a print or other type of copy. Accompanied by a Certificate of Authent...
Canvas, Charcoal, Oil, Acrylic
Upright Impression
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
"Upright Impression" by John Ali captures the innocence, resilience, and curiosity of youth through the portrayal of a young girl. In this captivating artwork, the girl stands tall a...
Canvas, Oil
$1,850
All in My Head - 21st Century Contemporary, Figurative, Men, Love, Thoughts
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
Shipping Procedure FREE Shipping Worldwide Ships in a well-protected tube from Nigeria This work is unique, not a print or other type of copy. Accompanied by a Certificate of Authent...
Canvas, Charcoal, Mixed Media, Acrylic
Enduring Echoes 2 - 21st Century, Contemporary, Figurative Portrait, Old Masters
By Bakare Abubakri-sideeq Babatunde
Located in Ibadan, Oyo
Enduring Echoes portrays a striking and vibrant portrait of a man, set against a bold and contrasting background. The artist uses a rich palette of purples, reds, and oranges, highli...
Fabric, Canvas, Mixed Media, Oil, Acrylic
Original ink on Paper, Contemporary Landscape Botanic Expressionist
Located in Carballo, ES
Black And White Minimal Painting is an original artwork realized by TUSET in 2020. We can frame it in natural wood or black on request. The title of this works is "From the Apollon...
Ink, Handmade Paper