Venezuelan Op and kinetic painter and sculptor Jesús Rafael Soto (1923–2007) is perhaps best known for his immersive installations, which respond to their environments and physically absorb the viewer in a dynamic sensory experience.
The exploration of space is central to Soto’s work. This is evident in his early paintings, of the 1950s, which create the illusion of movement through simple compositions and a limited palette. During the same period, he integrated industrial materials like nylon and steel into linear constructions that were part painting, part sculpture.
But Rafael Soto’s grandest and most enigmatic creations are his “Pénétrables.” Made up of thousands of long clear or colored plastic strands suspended from the ceiling or from free-standing steel or PVC frames, these geometric sculptures play with the perception of space, inviting viewers to act as participants by moving within and through them.
The strips of some of the installations were partly painted, forming shapes when seen from a distance. The Houston Penetrable (2014), at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, for instance, appears to hold a floating yellow ellipse.
Rafael Soto created 25 “Pénétrables” over the course of his career. Each further blurred the line between reality and illusion and established viewers as not just spectators but as integral parts of the artwork itself.
Shop Jesús Rafael Soto's art now at 1stDibs.
Negro y Color (Black and Color) - Abstract Op Art, 1995
By Jesús Rafael Soto
Located in Palm Desert, CA
Jesús Rafael Soto's Negro y Color (Black and Color) (1995) extends the principles of his Ambivalencias series into the artist's mature late work. Begun in the late 1970s as an evolut...
Metal
$14,625
MIROIRS D'ARTISTE 3D Wall Sculpture, Mirror & Plexiglass, 20th Century
By Jesús Rafael Soto
Located in Aventura, FL
Mirrored glass and silkscreened plexiglass wall sculpture. Incised artist signature and edition on verso. From the EA edition of 20 (there is also the main edition of 99). Artwork...
Mirror, Plexiglass, Screen
Price Upon Request
Ambivalencia - Signed Kinetic Op Art Painting, Acrylic Painted Wood, 1981
By Jesús Rafael Soto
Located in Palm Desert, CA
‘Ambivalencia’ is an assemblage made of acrylic painted wood by Venezuelan artist, Jesus Rafael Soto. The artwork is signed verso, "Soto 1981” ‘Ambivalencia’ is one of Soto's best-d...
Wood, Acrylic
Topaze noir négatif
By Victor Vasarely
Located in PARIS, FR
Matt acrylic-painted wood relief Éditions Denise Rene Paris Edition n° 37/50, Signed. Presented at the exhibition “Vasarely - Le partage des Formes”, in 2019 at the Centre Pompidou. ...
Wood, Acrylic
$1,055
H 44 in W 6 in D 3.25 in
Light 6421IV - Contemporary Multi-Dimensional Minimalist Abstract Sculptural Art
By Len Klikunas
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Artist Len Klikunas paints to modify experienced reality through visual perception. His art is a mix of art and architecture, hovering between painting and sculpture. It employs shiz...
Canvas, Wood, Mixed Media, Acrylic
$1,100
H 35.83 in W 24.02 in D 0.79 in
You brought Sunshine and Summer: Original Floral Painting, Blue vase, Geese.
By Karnish Art
Located in Pretoria, Gauteng
Title: You brought Sunshine and Summer Original Floral Painting, Blue vase, Geese, Heron, Unique, One-of-a-kind. "You brought Sunshine and Summer" is a painting that portrays a dee...
Gesso, Canvas, Wood, Acrylic, Stretcher Bars
$2,650
H 24 in W 84 in D 1.5 in
"The Playful Journey" Acrylic on Copper Abstract Composition 1997
By Stephen Schulz
Located in Soquel, CA
Bold and dynamic abstract composition titled "The Playful Journey" by Stephen Schulz (American, b. 1948). Schulz has used various types of acrylic paint, mixed with silicon to create a variety of textures. Signed and dated "Schulz 97" on verso, with an inscription that reads "For Leo and his Beautiful Family". Wood support frame on verso. Stephen Schulz (American, b. 1948) is an artist who has lived and worked in Fresno and Santa Cruz, California, and Cedar Grove, New Jersey. He has studied privately with Julie Connell, Jan Daniels, Michele Faia, Elle Fielder, Sal Pecoraro, Susan Stover, and Chris Volpe. Artist’s Statement: “My painting and artistic expression opens the doorway into an unconscious and creative world, where an uninhibited expression can take place, as one becomes immersed without the perception of time. Painting and design started it. From the beginning the process of transforming materials into art has struck me as a magical alchemy and, over the years, that mysterious process has had its hold on me, leading me from hobby to art. The creative process fills me with a sense of wonder and has proven a most amenable vehicle for transforming inner vision to outer reality. I paint from the inside out. Though I work quite deliberately, consciously employing both traditional and innovative techniques, my unconscious is the region of the most fertile of creative soil. I love working with a full complement of colors but often find my design direction working within the narrow spectrum of black and white, shadow and light. Some of my early inspiration comes from the New York School and artists such as Franz Kline and Jackson Pollock. Their ideas and techniques have helped to free my mind to explore areas of the unconscious that aren’t restricted by the world of right and wrong, good and bad. The journey continues and I feel blessed to have the opportunity to explore this exquisite world of the creative process.” Education: University of Oklahoma: 1966-1967 Canada College, AA Degree: 1972-1974 University of California: 1974-1975 Exhibitions: 2014 - Studio show Fresno, CA 2010 - Dubai (UAI) Animal rights show; Gallery 10, Washington, DC 2008, 2009 - Jia Salon & Gallery, Fresno, CA 2007 - Studio Exhibition 2006 - Cabrillo College 2004 - Studio Exhibition 2000, 2001, 2002 - Rollf's Gallery, Fresno, CA 2000 - Studio show; Bridgeport Gallery, CT 1999 - Tercera Gallery, Los Gatos, CA; Matt Miller Design, SF, CA 1998 - Robin Hutchins Gallery, NJ; Teroera Gallery Los Gatos, CA; Verve Gallery Los Angeles, CA; Open Studio Aptos, CA; Brigitte Bohlem, Hamburg, Germany 1997 - Robin Hutchins Gallery, NJ; Teroera Gallery, Los Gatos, CA; Verve Gallery, Los Angeles, CA; The Pope Gallery, Santa Cruz, CA; Hanson Art Source, Tennessee 1996 - Robin Hutchins Gallery, NJ; Teroera Gallery Los Gatos, CA; Verve Gallery, Los Angeles, CA; The Pope Gallery Santa Cruz, CA; Hanson Art Source, Tennessee; Barlett Fine Arts, Pleasant, CA; Birchstone, Gallery, Wisconsin 1995 - Abrahamsen Design; Teroera Gallery Los Gatos, CA; Verve Gallery, Los Angeles, CA; The Pope Gallery Santa Cruz, CA; Hanson Art Source, Tennessee; Barlett Fine Arts, Pleasant, CA; Birchstone, Gallery, Wisconsin; l&I Gallery, NJ; Gillen Design, London Ontario Canada...
Copper
$656Sale Price|20% Off
H 28 in W 40 in
Line Study For Angles and Curves, Duo of Art Deco Shapes, Pastel Palette Rouge
By Natalia Roman
Located in Barcelona, ES
These series of paintings by Natalia Roman gather their inspiration from geometric, minimalist shapes and paintings from the beginning of Modernism, with a special emphasis on Art Deco shapes of the 30's, 40's and 50's. The subtle but chic color combinations will combine beautifully with both vintage and modern furniture without overtaking spaces that are carefully crafted by designers. Natalia Roman was born in 1984 in Girona, Spain. She has exhibited in galleries across Europe and her colorful, abstract paintings are part of private collections all over the world. Details: Title: Line Study...
Acrylic, Paper
Twenty Five
By Leslie Price
Located in Dallas, TX
acrylic on birch panel
Birch, Acrylic, Panel
$1,055
H 44 in W 6 in D 3.25 in
Light VM362 - Contemporary Multi-Dimensional Minimalist Abstract Sculptural Art
By Len Klikunas
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Artist Len Klikunas paints to modify experienced reality through visual perception. His art is a mix of art and architecture, hovering between painting and sculpture. It employs shiz...
Canvas, Wood, Mixed Media, Acrylic
$25,889
H 1.97 in W 20.87 in D 20.87 in
Alberto Biasi Signed Dated and Titled Contemporary Abstract Italian Artwork
By Alberto Biasi
Located in Roma, IT
A marvellous and extremely rare work by one of the most important artists of contemporary kinetic art, Alberto Biasi (Padua, 1937). This work bears the artist's own handwritten inscr...
Wood, PVC
$2,100
H 39.38 in W 47.25 in D 0.79 in
Painting Animal Horse Abstract Nature Floral Unique Original Figurative Invest
By Karnish Art
Located in Pretoria, Gauteng
Title: Rainbow Bridge Painting Animal Horse Abstract Nature Floral Unique Original Bold Delight Invest Mixed Media One-of-a-kind Equestrian This strikingly beautiful artwork by Kar...
Gesso, Canvas, Wood, Mixed Media, Acrylic, Stretcher Bars
$5,500
H 32 in W 23 in D 3 in
Abstract Purple Blue Wood Pegs Wall Sculpture, Modern Pixel Art, 32x23 in
By Matt Bilfield
Located in New York, NY
2452 ACRYLIC PAINTED DOWELS IN ARCHITECTURAL PLYWOOD WITH BEVELED EDGES. Matt Bilfield is no stranger to process oriented art, as the Fox Sports Lead Animation Designer, he is build...
Wood, Plywood, Acrylic
$870
H 33.08 in W 23.23 in D 0.79 in
Liberty: Portrait Painting Renewal Flowers Striking Bold Exclusive Blue Red Life
By Karnish Art
Located in Pretoria, Gauteng
Title: Liberty Portrait Painting Liberty Flowers Abstract Artwork Striking Bold Original Blue Red Life This abstract contemporary artwork takes one to a place of freedom and the fe...
Gesso, Canvas, Wood, Oil, Acrylic, Stretcher Bars
$141,217
H 37.41 in W 37.41 in D 0.6 in
Atmosphère Chromoplastique N.246 - Acrylic on Wood by L. Tomasello -
Located in Roma, IT
This great work is a part of the Collection ‘Atmosphères chromoplastiques’ which was realized by Tomasello in the mid-1970s, during his stay in Paris and at the very center of the OP...
Wood, Acrylic