An innovative artist of abstraction who found inspiration in the hard-edge style of Minimalism as well as in the free-form creation of traditional quilt making, Al Loving was the first African American to have a solo show at the Whitney Museum of American Art.
Born in Detroit, Michigan, Loving was inspired to pursue art at an early age, captivated by the work of his father who had studied art and made his living as a sign painter and the quilting done by his mother and grandmother. He earned a BFA from the University of Illinois and an MFA from the University of Michigan.
Loving moved to New York in 1968, where his art, with its striking hexagonal and cubic shapes conveying a sense of spatial illusion, soon caught the attention of the art world. Just a year later, the Whitney Museum opened its exhibition of his paintings featuring geometric forms influenced by Abstract Expressionists like Hans Hofmann, who had taught Al Mullen, Loving's mentor in Michigan.
By the 1970s, Loving shifted to a new approach, experimenting with torn canvas and collage for kaleidoscopic patterns. Spiraling motifs laced over the layers of color, which the artist had joined together through strips of cardboard and canvas, blurring the line between painting and sculpture. In 1974, critic Peter Schjeldahl wrote in the New York Times that Loving’s pieces “energize the space around them” and appear to be “caught in the act of moving across the wall.”
Loving explained that he used abstraction “to speak directly to the art” and examine the changes in painting sparked by modernism, where “passion and feelings became real. The subject matter became less important than the art itself.” Loving was a longtime educator, and his legacy extends to the students he taught at the City College of New York from 1988 to 1996. He exhibited widely in his lifetime, with solo shows at the Studio Museum in Harlem, the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston and the Neuberger Museum of Art. His work is also in the collections of leading museums such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Whitney and the National Gallery of Art.
Find original Al Loving art on 1stDibs.
$22,000
"Have a Nice Day" Al Loving, Abstract Expressionist Colorful Mailbox Sculpture
By Al Loving
Located in New York, NY
Al Loving Have a Nice Day, 1992 Mailbox, acrylic paint, rag paper 8 1/2 inches high x 6 1/2 inches wide x 18 3/4 inches deep Al Loving studied painting at the University of Illinoi...
Metal
"Swirls & More" Multi-Layers of Colors, Collage, African-American
By Al Loving
Located in Detroit, MI
SALE ONE WEEK ONLY "To Bunny" is brilliant painted in reds, blues, and pinks with a dash of yellow. It is lively and exuberant in the shape of a heart with Loving's well-known swirl motif throughout. It is signed and dated on verso with the inscription: "To Bunny as part of a happy marriage." Bunny is Al brother Paul daughter. This work is mounted on a Pexiglass structure and stands 3 inches from the wall. Alvin Demar Loving, Jr. better known as Al Loving...
Acrylic, Rag Paper
Price Upon Request
Double-Sided Abstract Expressionist Collage with Airbrush by Al Loving
By Al Loving
Located in Long Island City, NY
This unique, double-sided collage was done as a study for prints to be published by the Grippi Gallery, who had a working relationship with Loving for over 30 years. The work on pape...
Pastel, Mixed Media
Price Upon Request
White Composition, Abstract Expressionist Collage by Al Loving
By Al Loving
Located in Long Island City, NY
Untitled (White Composition) Alvin Loving, American (1935–2005) Date: Circa 1980 Acrylic and Paper collage, signed lower right Size: 20 x 29.5 in. (50.8 x 74.93 cm)
Pastel, Acrylic
Price Upon Request
Black Composition, Abstract Expressionist Collage by Al Loving
By Al Loving
Located in Long Island City, NY
Untitled (Black Composition) Alvin Loving, American (1935–2005) Date: Circa 1980 Acrylic, Pastel and collage on Paper Size: 22.25 x 29.5 in. (56.52 x 74.93 cm)
Pastel, Acrylic
Abstract Calligraphic Brush Drawing. Combing Sound
By Sve Gri
Located in Zofingen, AG
"Combing Sound" is an improvised gestural drawing conveys an impulse born in the space of sensations. Artwork is done in ink and ocher pastel on thick white paper. "Every time I draw such abstract lines, a flow of energy moves my hand. I paint very fast to give the spontaneous flow as much space as possible. I never know what the result will be. The process of spontaneous drawing is a kind of magic that turns an invisible impulse into a reflection on paper. I feel the vibration in and around my palms and enjoy this dance of vibrations every time I paint. Each drawing is unique and one of a kind." Sve Gri...
Paper, Pastel, Ink
$1,600
H 6 in W 10 in D 2 in
Orpheus Sculpture with Bird & Blocks
By Varujan Boghosian
Located in Milford, NH
A fine abstract expressionist assemblage by American artist Varujan Boghosian (1926-2020). Boghosian was born in New Britain, CT and after serving in the United States Navy, he attended Central Connecticut Teachers College and the Vesper George School of Art in Boston. In 1953, he had a Fulbright grant to paint in Italy, and from 1956 to 1959, he worked with Josef Albers, geometric abstractionist, at Yale University where he earned both his BFA and MFA. Boghosian became a professor of sculpture at Dartmouth College in New Hampshire, and became primarily known for his assemblages in which he uses a variety of incongruous objects such as parts of weathered barn...
Found Objects
$4,250
H 24 in W 11 in D 2.25 in
Shifting Plane - Abstract Geometric Form, Painted Welded Steel Wall Sculpture
By Chris Hill
Located in Chicago, IL
This dynamic wall sculpture is created from sheets of steel, welded together in an abstract geometric pattern. Earth tones of blue, orange, pur...
Steel
$2,400
H 24 in W 18 in
Coral Reef, Abstract Mixed Media Painting, Acrylic & Sand, 24x18in, 2025
By a.muse
Located in New york, NY
For a 24 x 18in abstract painting on paper Coral Reef, a. muse uses acrylic, oil pastel, gouache, sand, and diamond dust to render colorful biomorphic forms from the sea. Warm and co...
Rag Paper, Oil Pastel, Acrylic, Gouache
$6,850
H 25 in W 31 in D 1.5 in
"Untitled" Acrylics, Pencils, Oil Pastels on Paper in Neutral Hues of Taupe
By Karina Gentinetta
Located in New York, NY
"Untitled" 2019, 25" x 31" horizontal drawing on paper by Argentine-born artist Karina Gentinetta (featured in Architectural Digest, Elle Decor, the...
Glaze, Oil Pastel, Acrylic, Carbon Pencil
First Floor Biogram
By Kory Twaddle
Located in Kansas City, MO
Title : First Floor Biogram Materials : Acrylic, gouache, oil pastel, marker, charcoal, graphite, and conté crayon on paper Date : 2018 Dimensions : 24 x 18 x .1 in. Description : ...
Paint, Paper, Acrylic, Tempera, Watercolor, Graphite, Conté, Oil Pastel,...
$3,400
H 10 in Dm 10 in
White Path - 3D small contemporary abstract round mural sculpture
Located in New York, NY
Erin Vincent is a Toronto based-artist whose work draws on a variety of repetitive and labor intensive processes and materials. Things and common objects have always fascinated Vinc...
Acrylic, Wood Panel, Archival Paper
$4,000
H 16.5 in W 11.5 in D 7 in
Spirit - Abstract Geometric Form, Hand Painted, Welded Steel Sculpture
By Chris Hill
Located in Chicago, IL
This dynamic table sized sculpture is created from sheets of steel, welded together in an abstract geometric pattern and then painted with an acrylic paint to enhance the surface. While the work adheres to a rigid, rational geometry, this sculptures suggest lyrical movement, apparent weightlessness and improvisation as the title suggests. Chris Hill Spirit welded steel, acrylic paint 16.50h x 11.50w x 7d in 41.91h x 29.21w x 17.78d cm CHI021 Chris Hill is a Santa Fe based sculptor. Chris was born in Port Arthur, Texas but grew up in small town North Mississippi. He began welding at age 18 at the Tennessee Valley Authority...
Steel
$4,000
H 41 in W 36 in D 3 in
Combahee Night - Abstract Black Sculptural Original Three-Dimensional Wall Art
By Atticus Adams
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Atticus Adams' organically composed modern metal sculptures embody the transformative power of art, illustrating the creation of beauty, meaning, and emotional impact from industrial...
Metal, Wire
$3,600
H 40 in W 24 in D 3 in
Stelae (Abstract Geometric Wood Wall Sculpture in Grey & Dark Taupe)
By Stephen Walling
Located in Hudson, NY
Abstract geometric, minimalist three-dimensional wood wall sculpture in grey and dark taupe with paper collage "Stelae", hand-carved wooden wall sculpture by Hudson Valley artist, St...
Wood, Acrylic
$5,800
H 28 in W 15.75 in D 2 in
The Path - Abstract Geometric Form, Hand Painted Welded Steel Wall Sculpture
By Chris Hill
Located in Chicago, IL
This dynamic wall sculpture is created from sheets of steel, welded together in an abstract geometric pattern. Muted shades of blue, grey, purple and green dominate and are balanced by softer hues. While the work adheres to a rigid, rational geometry, this sculptures suggest lyrical movement, apparent weightlessness and improvisation as the title suggests. Chris Hill The Path welded steel, acrylic paint 28h x 15.75w x 2d in 71.12h x 40.01w x 5.08d cm CHI018 Chris Hill is a Santa Fe based sculptor. Chris was born in Port Arthur...
Steel
$5,000
H 17.5 in W 14.5 in D 5 in
Paper Shale- black 3D organic feel contemporary abstract mural sculpture
Located in New York, NY
Erin Vincent is a Toronto based-artist whose work draws on a variety of repetitive and labor intensive processes and materials. Things and common objects have always fascinated Vinc...
Resin, Foam, Acrylic, Wood Panel, Archival Paper