Skip to main content

George Rickey Sculptures

American, 1907-2002
GEORGE RICKEY Born: South Bend, Indiana, 1907 Died: St. Paul, Minnesota, 2002 George Rickey spent over five decades committed to the creation of poetic and precisely-calibrated sculptures that he referred to as his “useless machines.” Of all the natural forces, it was the wind’s movement that most captured Rickey’s imagination. He once wrote, “The artist finds waiting for him, as subject, not the trees, not the flowers, not the landscape, but the waving of branches and the trembling of stems, the piling up or scudding of clouds, the rising and setting and waxing and waning of heavenly bodies.” Rickey began to devote himself to the investigation of motion in sculpture, producing dynamic works using simple geometric forms such as lines, squares, rectangles, circles, etc., in which his prodigious understanding of engineering and mechanics is demonstrable. Though the works enthusiastically collaborate with the interference of wind currents in their environment, the speed of their random movements are tempered by simple spacing and fixed arrangement of the elements. The relationship of the parts remains the same, but the dance is always changing. It is this tension that defines Rickey’s sculptures. “I think it’s important to make art that you have to wait for,” said the artist. As such, the works are able to oscillate gracefully through an infinite number of compositional iterations, engaging all aspects of the natural world around them—wind, light, rain, fog, or the lack thereof. Much of Rickey’s work was created in his studio in East Chatham, New York, where he settled in 1960. Prior to that time, the artist had lived and taught in Bloomington, IN; New Orleans, LA; New York, NY, and throughout the Midwest. His childhood, youth and college years were spent in Scotland and Britain. Aside from East Chatham he had studios in Berlin, Germany and Santa Barbara, CA. George Rickey's work is included in the permanent collections of over 150 museums worldwide, including the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C.; Los Angeles County Museum of Art, California; Museum of Modern Art, New York; Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York; National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.; Walker Art Center, Minneapolis; National Gallery of Scotland, Edinburgh; Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, Rotterdam and Kunstmuseum Bern, Switzerland, among many others. Key exhibitions include George Rickey: Monumental Sculptures on Park Avenue, New York (2021); A Life in Art: Works by George Rickey, Indianapolis Art Center, Indiana (2009); George Rickey: Kinetic Sculpture, A Retrospective, Vero Beach Museum of Art, Florida; Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park, Grand Rapids and McNay Art Museum, San Antonio (2007-09); George Rickey: Kinetische Skulpturen, Museum für Kunst und Gewerbe, Hamburg, Germany (2003) and George Rickey – Retrospective Exhibition, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York (1979).
to
1
1
1
Overall Width
to
Overall Height
to
2
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
4
212
170
152
128
2
Artist: George Rickey
Two Spirals Abstract Sculpture in Metal and Marble, 1971, Signed
Two Spirals Abstract Sculpture in Metal and Marble, 1971, Signed

Two Spirals Abstract Sculpture in Metal and Marble, 1971, Signed

By George Rickey

Located in Beverly Hills, CA

Two Spirals, 1971 Metal with marble base Height at rest: 7 inches Signed and dated "Rickey 1971" on base Unique

Category

1970s Abstract Geometric George Rickey Sculptures

Materials

Marble, Metal

Space Churn with Squares
Space Churn with Squares

Space Churn with Squares

By George Rickey

Located in Palm Desert, CA

"Space Churn with Squares" is an abstract Post War kinetic sculpture in stainless steel sculpture by George Rickey in 1969. The artwork is 35 1/2 x 20 x 13 inches, weighing less than...

Category

20th Century Post-War George Rickey Sculptures

Materials

Stainless Steel

Related Items
Velvet, Canvas 3D - Contemporary Space Object, Woven Sculptural Artwork
Velvet, Canvas 3D - Contemporary Space Object, Woven Sculptural Artwork

Velvet, Canvas 3D - Contemporary Space Object, Woven Sculptural Artwork

By Marta Pokojowczyk

Located in Hallein, AT

Canvas 3D ‘Velvet’ 2016 Linen yarn, textile stripe, stainless steel hanger; size of the textile: 155 x 64 cm (128 cm circuit), Canvases 3D are decorative fabrics entirely designed ...

Category

2010s Contemporary George Rickey Sculptures

Materials

Stainless Steel

"Abstract Cross ", Polished Stainless Steel Sculpture for Indoors or Outdoors
"Abstract Cross ", Polished Stainless Steel Sculpture for Indoors or Outdoors

"Abstract Cross ", Polished Stainless Steel Sculpture for Indoors or Outdoors

By Lutfi Romhein

Located in Clermont-Ferrand, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes

This sculpture is made with 316L stainless steel by Lutfi Romhein. A 2 mm-thick stainless steel sheet was cut, folded, welded at some joint points, with a polished and sanded finish...

Category

2010s Modern George Rickey Sculptures

Materials

Stainless Steel

Ghost Gear Pipelines (Triptych

Ghost Gear Pipelines (Triptych

By KX2: Ruth Avra and Dana Kleinman

Located in New Orleans, LA

KX2 is a collaboration combining the strengths of artists and sisters Ruth Avra and Dana Kleinman who create mathematically inspired sculpture merging metal and painting. From a dist...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary George Rickey Sculptures

Materials

Enamel, Stainless Steel

American Contemporary Sculpture by Scott Troxel - Achtung III
American Contemporary Sculpture by Scott Troxel - Achtung III

American Contemporary Sculpture by Scott Troxel - Achtung III

By Scott Troxel

Located in Paris, IDF

Achtung III Cherry, MDF, acrylic, lacquer on MDF 57” x 63” x 2” Achtung III is a vibrant large-scale mixed media wall sculpture. Made from solid American cherry hardwood and with pa...

Category

2010s Abstract George Rickey Sculptures

Materials

Stainless Steel

Abstract Scroll, Large Scale Mixed Media Watercolor Assemblage w Handmade Paper
Abstract Scroll, Large Scale Mixed Media Watercolor Assemblage w Handmade Paper

Abstract Scroll, Large Scale Mixed Media Watercolor Assemblage w Handmade Paper

By Madeline de Joly

Located in Soquel, CA

Unique large scale mixed media assemblage featuring a three dimensional, textured handmade paper scroll unfurling to reveal an abstract expressionist watercolor painting with gold ac...

Category

Late 20th Century Post-War George Rickey Sculptures

Materials

Felt, Acrylic, Watercolor, Handmade Paper

The Way, Canvas 3D - Contemporary Space Object, Woven Sculptural Artwork
The Way, Canvas 3D - Contemporary Space Object, Woven Sculptural Artwork

The Way, Canvas 3D - Contemporary Space Object, Woven Sculptural Artwork

By Marta Pokojowczyk

Located in Hallein, AT

Canvas 3D ‘The Way’ 2016 Linen yarn, textile stripe, stainless steel wall hanger; size of the textile: 134 x 70 cm (140 cm circuit). Canvases 3D are decorative fabrics entirely desi...

Category

2010s Contemporary George Rickey Sculptures

Materials

Stainless Steel

Yellow Disc
Yellow Disc

Phillip KingYellow Disc, 2007

$1,700

H 6 in W 12 in D 5.88 in

Yellow Disc

By Phillip King

Located in London, GB

Marble and hand-painted steel Edition of 35 15.3 x 30.5 x 15.3 cms (6 x 12 x 5 7/8 ins)

Category

Early 2000s Abstract Geometric George Rickey Sculptures

Materials

Marble, Steel

John Van Alstine - Sisyphean Circle XXV, Sculpture 2007
John Van Alstine - Sisyphean Circle XXV, Sculpture 2007

John Van Alstine - Sisyphean Circle XXV, Sculpture 2007

By John Van Alstine

Located in Greenwich, CT

Sisyphean Circle XXV, John Van Alstine. Stone and metal, usually granite or slate and found object steel are central in my sculpture. The interaction of these materials is a major f...

Category

Early 2000s Abstract Geometric George Rickey Sculptures

Materials

Slate, Steel

"BUTTON" Abstract Wall Sculpture 22" x 25" x 22" in by Shawn Kolodny
"BUTTON" Abstract Wall Sculpture 22" x 25" x 22" in by Shawn Kolodny

"BUTTON" Abstract Wall Sculpture 22" x 25" x 22" in by Shawn Kolodny

By Shawn Kolodny

Located in Culver City, CA

"BUTTON" Abstract Wall Sculpture 22" x 25" x 22" in by Shawn Kolodny Medium: Stainless Steel Shawn Kolodny is a Miami-based artist renowned for his immersive, large-scale installa...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary George Rickey Sculptures

Materials

Stainless Steel

Indian Contemporary Art By Sumit Mehndiratta - Mandala Series No. 14
Indian Contemporary Art By Sumit Mehndiratta - Mandala Series No. 14

Indian Contemporary Art By Sumit Mehndiratta - Mandala Series No. 14

By Sumit Mehndiratta

Located in Paris, IDF

Six Stainless steel discs measuring 5.1x5.1x1.5 inches each (13x13x4 cms) hung individually on the wall with a 3M velcro tape hanging provision on the back of each disc, can be hung ...

Category

2010s Abstract George Rickey Sculptures

Materials

Stainless Steel

Sea Pilings
Sea Pilings

Sea Pilings

By KX2: Ruth Avra and Dana Kleinman

Located in New Orleans, LA

KX2 is a collaboration combining the strengths of artists and sisters Ruth Avra and Dana Kleinman who create mathematically inspired sculpture merging metal and painting. From a dist...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary George Rickey Sculptures

Materials

Concrete, Stainless Steel

Tide Markers freestanding
Tide Markers freestanding

Tide Markers freestanding

By KX2: Ruth Avra and Dana Kleinman

Located in New Orleans, LA

KX2 is a collaboration combining the strengths of artists and sisters Ruth Avra and Dana Kleinman who create mathematically inspired sculpture merging metal and painting. From a dist...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary George Rickey Sculptures

Materials

Concrete, Stainless Steel

Previously Available Items
Eight Lines II - Sketch for Twenty Four Lines
Eight Lines II - Sketch for Twenty Four Lines

Eight Lines II - Sketch for Twenty Four Lines

By George Rickey

Located in Palm Desert, CA

"Eight Lines II - Sketch for Twenty Four Lines" is a Post-War abstract sculpture by George Rickey in 1963. The artwork is 57.75 x 54 x 54 inches and weighs 15 lbs. It is signed on th...

Category

Mid-20th Century Post-War George Rickey Sculptures

Materials

Stainless Steel

Two Up One Down Staggered
Two Up One Down Staggered

Two Up One Down Staggered

By George Rickey

Located in Palm Desert, CA

"Two Up One Down Staggered" is a Post-War abstract sculpture by George Rickey in 1967-1968. The artwork size is 97 x 52 x 8 inches. The sculpture weighs 30 lbs. It is signed on the b...

Category

Mid-20th Century Post-War George Rickey Sculptures

Materials

Stainless Steel

Two Open Rectangles Excentric
Two Open Rectangles Excentric

Two Open Rectangles Excentric

By George Rickey

Located in Greenwich, CT

Kinetic sculpture by George Rickey. Incised with the artist's signature, date 1975 and number 1/3 (on the base). Dimensions: minimum: 79 by 21 ⅜ by 10 in. maximum: 79 by 80 by 10 in...

Category

1970s Abstract George Rickey Sculptures

Materials

Stainless Steel

Two Open Rectangles Up Wall, Mounted
Two Open Rectangles Up Wall, Mounted

Two Open Rectangles Up Wall, Mounted

By George Rickey

Located in New York, NY

The international master in kinetic sculpture, George Ricky was a master of balance and movement in stainless steel outdoor and indoor sculptures. He was...

Category

1980s Kinetic George Rickey Sculptures

Materials

Stainless Steel

Oblique Column of Open Squares
Oblique Column of Open Squares

Oblique Column of Open Squares

By George Rickey

Located in Palm Desert, CA

A kinetic, stainless steel sculpture by George Rickey. Edition 2/3. Signed center of base, "Rickey 1981". Edition left center of base, "2/3". Provenance: GE Corporate Art Collect...

Category

1980s Contemporary George Rickey Sculptures

Materials

Stainless Steel

George Rickey sculptures for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic George Rickey sculptures available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by George Rickey in marble, metal, stone and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 1970s and is mostly associated with the abstract style. Not every interior allows for large George Rickey sculptures, so small editions measuring 8 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Clifford Singer, John Van Alstine, and Dorothy Mayhall. George Rickey sculptures prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $32,000 and tops out at $32,000, while the average work can sell for $32,000.