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Bill Barrett Art

American, b. 1935

Bill Barrett was born on December 21, 1934. He is an American sculptor, painter and jeweler. He is considered a central figure in the second generation of American metal sculptors and is internationally known for his abstract sculptures in steel, aluminum and bronze. Barrett began welding while a student at the University of Michigan. His early works consisted of steel rods, joined together to create open, three-dimensional drawings. For subsequent sculptures, he filled in the negative space between the rods with molten metal and steel plates. From here, Barrett developed a technique of cutting steel sheets into rectangular shapes and forming the shapes into three-dimensional blocks or cylindrical forms. He also explored the surface of steel, grinding or brushing the surface to give his finished work texture. Barrett later painted his steel sculptures to prevent the final pieces from rusting. Barrett’s work with aluminum began in the 1960s. These sculptures were composed of flat, horizontal shapes and their surfaces were bright and clean. Barrett was commissioned by the City of New York through Percent for Art to create his largest sculpture to date, Hari IV, for New Dorp High School on Staten Island. Keeping contemporary culture in mind, Barrett’s title for this work comes from a graffiti tag that was appearing on New York subway cars at the time. The work was well received by the students, earning the nickname the elephant. It became the high school’s symbol, being used on the yearbook cover and adorning the football team’s helmets. The New York Times critic Michael Brenson called this sculpture, “one of the most successful public sculptures in the city." In 1986, Barrett was commissioned by the state of Connecticut for the Criminal Courts Building in Hartford to create Guardian, a fabricated aluminum sculpture that stands 15 feet tall. Barrett began painting in 1992. His vibrant paintings quickly became an important part of his entire creative process—they complemented and influenced the free-flowing feel of his sculptures. Drawing—rhythmic contours and marks—maintained a central role in the creation of his paintings and sculptures. Since 1992, Barrett has had several solo exhibitions, featuring both painting and sculpture. Bill Barrett, Melinda at the Beach in 2002, is a famous work of his in fabricated bronze. Barrett started working with bronze as a way to explore increasingly fluid and gestural forms. As his interest in expressive forms grew, Barrett found that wax gave him the creative freedom to model shapes. He created a technique of pouring wax into a baking tin, drawing the shapes in the wax, and then combining the shapes to create a model, twisting and carving away at each shape by hand. The most successful models were cast into bronze and the bronze maquettes were then fabricated into larger bronze sculptures. From the 90s on, Barrett’s bronze works took on a free-flowing quality that suggested calligraphy, movement, dance and music. Several sculptures from this decade refer directly to dance. In May 2011, Barrett installed a bronze sculpture in New York City's Tribeca neighborhood, for temporary display, as a memorial to September 11, 2001. Also, Barrett's small sculpture Lexeme VII is part of the 911 Memorial and Museum's permanent collection in New York City. In 2010 Barrett exhibited paintings and sculptures in two separate shows, “Polyphonic Abstractions: Painting and Maquettes by Bill Barrett” at the Christian Petersen Art Museum at Iowa State University and “Synchronicity” at Kouros Gallery in New York City.

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Artist: Bill Barrett
"Lyra Series 27", Abstract, Bronze Metal Sculpture by Bill Barrett
By Bill Barrett
Located in New York, NY
"Lyra Series 27" by Bill Barrett Cast bronze Bill Barrett is considered a central figure in the second generation of American metal sculptors and is internationally known for his ab...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Bill Barrett Art

Materials

Metal, Bronze

el Grande Model bronze sculpture
By Bill Barrett
Located in Greenwich, CT
In 1983, returning to one of his earliest concepts, the standing figure, Barrett cast five small upright pieces that would become the Grande series. Barrett’s work became more organ...
Category

1980s Abstract Bill Barrett Art

Materials

Bronze

"Bouquet", Abstract, Steel Metal Sculpture by Bill Barrett
By Bill Barrett
Located in New York, NY
"Bouquet" by Bill Barrett Fabricated cor-ten steel Bill Barrett is considered a central figure in the second generation of American metal sculptors and is internationally known for ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Bill Barrett Art

Materials

Metal, Steel

"Perfect Imbalance", Abstract, Steel Metal Sculpture by Bill Barrett
By Bill Barrett
Located in New York, NY
"Perfect Imbalance" by Bill Barrett Fabricated cor-ten steel Bill Barrett is considered a central figure in the second generation of American metal sculptors and is internationally ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Bill Barrett Art

Materials

Metal, Steel

"Sojourner", Abstract, Bronze Metal Sculpture by Bill Barrett
By Bill Barrett
Located in New York, NY
"Sojourner" by Bill Barrett Fabricated bronze Bill Barrett is considered a central figure in the second generation of American metal sculptors and is internationally known for his a...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Bill Barrett Art

Materials

Metal, Bronze

Point Out
By Bill Barrett
Located in Greenwich, CT
Barrett is a large scale and well known American sculptor. Point Out is a superb small scale maquette and it a great piece on many levels. These works have movement, delicacy and s...
Category

2010s Abstract Bill Barrett Art

Materials

Bronze

Flight
By Bill Barrett
Located in Greenwich, CT
Barrett's Flight is a super mid-size sculpture that can sit on a table, console or coffee table. It can also be a feature piece on a pedestal. As its title conveys it brings a sens...
Category

2010s Abstract Bill Barrett Art

Materials

Bronze

"Pinnacle XIX", Abstract, Bronze Metal Sculpture by Bill Barrett
By Bill Barrett
Located in New York, NY
"Pinnacle XIX" by Bill Barrett Fabricated bronze Bill Barrett is considered a central figure in the second generation of American metal sculptors and is internationally known for hi...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Bill Barrett Art

Materials

Metal, Bronze

Lyra Series 10, indoor sculpture
By Bill Barrett
Located in Greenwich, CT
Barrett is one of America's outstanding living sculptors. A sculptor who works on large scale and major commission and outdoor works, his smaller indoor maquettes have been avidly c...
Category

2010s Abstract Bill Barrett Art

Materials

Bronze

"Muskateer", Abstract, Bronze Metal Sculpture by Bill Barrett
By Bill Barrett
Located in New York, NY
"Muskateer" by Bill Barrett Abstract metal sculpture, unique bronze Bill Barrett is considered a central figure in the second generation of American metal sculptors and is internati...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Bill Barrett Art

Materials

Metal, Bronze

"Perfect Imbalance (model)", Abstract, Bronze Metal Sculpture by Bill Barrett
By Bill Barrett
Located in New York, NY
"Perfect Imbalance (model)" by Bill Barrett Cast bronze Bill Barrett is considered a central figure in the second generation of American metal sculptors and is internationally known...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Bill Barrett Art

Materials

Metal, Bronze

"Tree Series 6: Flamenco", Abstract, Bronze Metal Sculpture by Bill Barrett
By Bill Barrett
Located in New York, NY
"Tree Series 6: Flamenco" by Bill Barrett Cast bronze Bill Barrett is considered a central figure in the second generation of American metal sculptors and...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Bill Barrett Art

Materials

Metal, Bronze

"Tree Series 16", Abstract, Bronze Metal Sculpture by Bill Barrett
By Bill Barrett
Located in New York, NY
"Tree Series 16" by Bill Barrett Cast bronze Bill Barrett is considered a central figure in the second generation of American metal sculptors and is inter...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Bill Barrett Art

Materials

Metal, Bronze

"Tree Series 19", Abstract, Bronze Metal Sculpture by Bill Barrett
By Bill Barrett
Located in New York, NY
"Tree Series 19" by Bill Barrett Cast bronze Bill Barrett is considered a central figure in the second generation of American metal sculptors and is inter...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Bill Barrett Art

Materials

Metal, Bronze

"Tree Series 21", Abstract, Bronze Metal Sculpture by Bill Barrett
By Bill Barrett
Located in New York, NY
"Tree Series 21" by Bill Barrett Cast bronze Bill Barrett is considered a central figure in the second generation of American metal sculptors and is inter...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Bill Barrett Art

Materials

Metal, Bronze

"Aria DNA 5", Abstract, Bronze Metal Sculpture by Bill Barrett
By Bill Barrett
Located in New York, NY
"Aria DNA 5" by Bill Barrett Fabricated bronze Bill Barrett is considered a central figure in the second generation of American metal sculptors and is internationally known for his ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Bill Barrett Art

Materials

Metal, Bronze

"Plexus", Abstract, Bronze Metal Sculpture by Bill Barrett
By Bill Barrett
Located in New York, NY
"Plexus" by Bill Barrett Fabricated bronze Bill Barrett is considered a central figure in the second generation of American metal sculptors and is internationally known for his abst...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Bill Barrett Art

Materials

Metal, Bronze

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Previously Available Items
"Lyra Series 24", Abstract, Bronze Metal Sculpture by Bill Barrett
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"Monarch", Abstract, Bronze Metal Sculpture by Bill Barrett
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"Action Abstraction", Abstract, Bronze Metal Sculpture by Bill Barrett
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"Magic III", Abstract, Bronze Metal Sculpture by Bill Barrett
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Bill Barrett art for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Bill Barrett art available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by Bill Barrett in metal, bronze, steel and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 21st century and contemporary and is mostly associated with the abstract style. Not every interior allows for large Bill Barrett art, so small editions measuring 8 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Joel Perlman, George Sugarman, and Eric Johnson. Bill Barrett art prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $15,000 and tops out at $350,000, while the average work can sell for $200,000.

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