Al Loving Art

American, 1935-2005

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.

Artist: Al Loving

Al Loving"Swirls & More" Multi-Layers of Colors, Collage, African-American, 1998

$24,000

"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...

Category

Late 20th Century Abstract Al Loving Art

Materials

Acrylic, Rag Paper

Al Loving"Have a Nice Day" Al Loving, Abstract Expressionist Colorful Mailbox Sculpture, 1992

$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...

Category

1990s Abstract Expressionist Al Loving Art

Materials

Metal

Al LovingDouble-Sided Abstract Expressionist Collage with Airbrush by Al Loving, circa 1980

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...

Category

1980s Abstract Expressionist Al Loving Art

Materials

Pastel, Mixed Media

Al LovingWhite Composition, Abstract Expressionist Collage by Al Loving, circa 1980

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)

Category

1980s Abstract Expressionist Al Loving Art

Materials

Pastel, Acrylic

Al LovingBlack Composition, Abstract Expressionist Collage by Al Loving, circa 1980

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)

Category

1980s Abstract Expressionist Al Loving Art

Materials

Pastel, Acrylic

Chris HillShifting Plane - Abstract Geometric Form, Painted Welded Steel Wall Sculpture, 2022

$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...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Geometric Al Loving Art

Materials

Steel

Bai (Carl Karni-Bain)Ornetta, Portrait, Acrylic and Oil Pastel on Etching Paper, 15x11 by Bai, 2024

$1,200

H 15 in W 11 in D 0.25 in

Ornetta, Portrait, Acrylic and Oil Pastel on Etching Paper, 15x11 by Bai

By Bai (Carl Karni-Bain)

Located in New york, NY

The earthy tones, rich in texture in an acrylic and oil pastel by African American artist Bai is a portrait of an androgenous subject with Modigliani eyes, Ornetta, is an enigmatic p...

Category

2010s Contemporary Al Loving Art

Materials

Oil Pastel, Acrylic, Rag Paper, Ballpoint Pen

Chris HillSpirit - Abstract Geometric Form, Hand Painted, Welded Steel Sculpture, 2023

$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...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Geometric Al Loving Art

Materials

Steel

Varujan BoghosianOrpheus Sculpture with Bird & Blocks, circa late 20th century

$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...

Category

Late 20th Century Abstract Expressionist Al Loving Art

Materials

Found Objects

a.museCoral Reef, Abstract Mixed Media Painting, Acrylic & Sand, 24x18in, 2025, 2025

$1,920Sale Price|20% Off

H 24 in W 18 in

Coral Reef, Abstract Mixed Media Painting, Acrylic & Sand, 24x18in, 2025

By a.muse

Located in New york, NY

In the 24 x 18in abstract painting Coral Reef, 2025 a. muse uses acrylic, oil pastel, gouache, sand, and diamond dust to render colorful biomorphic forms from the sea. Warm, cool, an...

Category

2010s Abstract Al Loving Art

Materials

Rag Paper, Oil Pastel, Acrylic, Gouache

Erin VincentWhite Path - 3D small contemporary abstract round mural sculpture, 2023

$3,000

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...

Category

2010s Abstract Geometric Al Loving Art

Materials

Acrylic, Wood Panel, Archival Paper

Erin VincentLapis - 3D small contemporary blue abstract round mural sculpture, 2023

$3,300

H 12 in Dm 12 in

Lapis - 3D small contemporary blue 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...

Category

2010s Abstract Geometric Al Loving Art

Materials

Acrylic, Wood Panel, Archival Paper

Black Brushstrokes Gestures on Green Lime, Abstract Painting on Paper, Palette, 2021

$389Sale Price|34% Off

H 40 in W 28 in

Black Brushstrokes Gestures on Green Lime, Abstract Painting on Paper, Palette

Located in Barcelona, ES

"Lime and Black Line Work" is an abstract painting by Spanish artist Natalia Roman. It is a beautiful series of rhythmic brushstrokes combined with subtle tones and unique shapes tha...

Category

2010s Abstract Al Loving Art

Materials

Acrylic, Rag Paper

Atticus AdamsCombahee Night - Abstract Black Sculptural Original Three-Dimensional Wall Art, 2024

$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...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Al Loving Art

Materials

Metal, Wire

Karina Gentinetta"Untitled" Acrylics, Pencils, Oil Pastels on Paper in Neutral Hues of Taupe, 2019

$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...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Expressionist Al Loving Art

Materials

Glaze, Oil Pastel, Acrylic, Carbon Pencil

Erin VincentWhite Burst 2 - 3D organic feel contemporary abstract mural sculpture in foam, 2021

$7,500

H 27 in W 27 in D 7 in

White Burst 2 - 3D organic feel contemporary abstract mural sculpture in foam

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...

Category

2010s Abstract Geometric Al Loving Art

Materials

Resin, Foam, Acrylic, Wood Panel, Archival Paper

Chris HillWoven Plane - Abstract Geometric Form, Hand Painted Welded Steel Wall Sculpture, 2022

$3,750

H 9 in W 20 in D 2 in

Woven Plane - 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, purp...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Geometric Al Loving Art

Materials

Steel

Al Loving art for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Al Loving art available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by Al Loving in acrylic paint, paint, synthetic resin paint and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 20th century and is mostly associated with the abstract style. Not every interior allows for large Al Loving art, so small editions measuring 14 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Michael Goldberg, Steven Sorman, and Kim Jae Il. Al Loving art prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $14,800 and tops out at $68,000, while the average work can sell for $23,000.