Skip to main content

Jim Rose Abstract Sculptures

American, 1966-2023

Bringing lively newness to weathered and worn found materials, artist and furniture designer Jim Rose mined scrap heaps and junkyards for the metal he used in his furniture, collages and decorative objects. He kept his eyes open for the ideal scraps of aged steel that could be bent and shaped into a base, frame or surface of his next piece, hand-picking off-colored bits to serve as inlays and accents. 

Rose was long associated with the American Studio Craft movement, and many of his one-of-a-kind works can typically be characterized as a venturesome fusion of folk art and modernist design. Each piece, crafted by hand and with fastidious care in his Wisconsin studio, is representative of his work ethic and boundless imagination.

Born in Indiana, Rose studied briefly at Bard College in New York City and earned his BFA in sculpture from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 1988. A couple of years earlier, he established his design studio, along with his wife Suzanne — an award-winning photographer — as his partner. During the 1990s, Rose and Suzanne traveled the American Northeast, where he became enamored with Shaker furniture

When Rose returned home, he read every piece of literature he could about the history of the Shakers. The name derives from the popular moniker for an all-but-vanished American religious sect, whose members crafted honest, modest household furniture and objects as part of their belief in purposeful living and simplicity in all things. Rose incorporated Shaker methods into the production of his own designs. Rather than utilize the unpretentious hardwoods that the Shakers preferred, however, Rose worked with discarded materials, fashioning tables, case pieces and decorative objects from repurposed steel and other metals.

In the late 1990s, Rose began to include multi-colored metal into his works — adapting methods used by colonial quiltmakers. His furnishings began to take on a mosaic look, bringing a substantial amount of visual appeal and new charm to each of his distinctive creations. Rose also produced a body of work that drew on Ming dynasty designs.

With numerous showings at Sculpture Objects & Functional Art Fair in New York City and Chicago, Rose made a name for himself throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s. He had solo and group exhibitions throughout his career, including in Palm Beach, Florida, and Mesa, Arizona — as well as at many other galleries in New York and Chicago. Rose’s work is held in the collections of the Smithsonian American Art Museum, Mesa Contemporary Arts, Racine Art Museum and other institutions.

On 1stDibs, find a collection of vintage Jim Rose storage cabinets, tables, and decorative objects.

to
20
20
12
20
20
7
2
2
20
20
20
Height
to
Width
to
20
20
20
46
316
88
81
75
Creator: Jim Rose
Found Object Sculpture - Collected Steel Assemblage by Jim Rose
By Jim Rose
Located in Chicago, IL
Using entirely found and collected steel objects, this sculpture shows the beauty of repurposed steel. Meticulously crafted, artist Jim Rose was a master welder as well as artistic c...
Category

2010s American Shaker Jim Rose Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Steel

Found and Salvaged Steel House Structure on a Reclaimed Steel Base
By Jim Rose
Located in Chicago, IL
Jim Rose, known primarily for his steel furniture, was an avid collector and scoured salvage yards for unique and interesting items. Here, a collection of spare parts come together ...
Category

2010s American Folk Art Jim Rose Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Metal, Steel

Found and Salvaged Steel Industrial Objects on Wooden Base
By Jim Rose
Located in Chicago, IL
Jim Rose, known primarily for his steel furniture, was an avid collector and scoured salvage yards for unique, interesting items. Here, a beautifully rusted tobacco box, a steel egg...
Category

2010s American Folk Art Jim Rose Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Metal, Steel

Assemblage No. 08 - Found Object Minimalist Welded Steel Wall Sculpture
By Jim Rose
Located in Chicago, IL
Using entirely found and collected steel objects, this sculpture shows the beauty of repurposed steel. Meticulously crafted, artist Jim Rose was a master welder as well as artistic c...
Category

2010s American Shaker Jim Rose Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Steel

Found and Salvaged Steel House Structure, Modern and Minimalist Sculpture
By Jim Rose
Located in Chicago, IL
Jim Rose, known primarily for his steel furniture, was an avid collector and scoured salvage yards for unique and interesting items. Here, a collection of found steel is reworked, pr...
Category

2010s American Folk Art Jim Rose Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Metal, Steel

Jim Rose - Construct No. 05, Salvaged Steel and Aluminum Industrial Objects
By Jim Rose
Located in Chicago, IL
Jim Rose, known primarily for his steel furniture, was an avid collector and scoured salvage yards for unique, interesting items. Here he has welded together various metal pieces to...
Category

2010s American Folk Art Jim Rose Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Metal, Steel

Found and Salvaged Steel House Structure, Modern and Minimalist Sculpture
By Jim Rose
Located in Chicago, IL
Jim Rose, known primarily for his steel furniture, was an avid collector and scoured salvage yards for unique and interesting items. Here, a collection of found steel is reworked, pr...
Category

2010s American Folk Art Jim Rose Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Metal, Steel

House Sculpture, Minimalist Modern Structure, Rusted Steel Wedge on Wood Blocks
By Jim Rose
Located in Chicago, IL
Jim Rose, known primarily for his steel furniture, was an avid collector and scoured salvage yards for unique and interesting items. Here, found steel objects are welded together to ...
Category

2010s American Minimalist Jim Rose Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Metal, Steel

Found and Salvaged Steel Structure on a Wooden Base
By Jim Rose
Located in Chicago, IL
Jim Rose, known primarily for his steel furniture, was an avid collector and scoured salvage yards for unique and interesting items. Here, a collection of spare parts come together ...
Category

2010s American Folk Art Jim Rose Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Metal, Steel

Found and Salvaged Steel House Structure on a Reclaimed Steel Plate, Wooden Base
By Jim Rose
Located in Chicago, IL
Jim Rose, known primarily for his steel furniture, was an avid collector and scoured salvage yards for unique and interesting items. Here, a collection of found steel is reworked and...
Category

2010s American Folk Art Jim Rose Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Metal, Steel

Minimalist Modern Structure, Rusted Steel on Wood Block Base
By Jim Rose
Located in Chicago, IL
Jim Rose, known primarily for his steel furniture, was an avid collector and scoured salvage yards for unique and interesting items. Here, found steel objects are welded together to ...
Category

2010s American Minimalist Jim Rose Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Metal, Steel

Jim Rose - Wire Dog, Repurposed Heavy Wire Dog Sculpture, Cylindrical Metal Base
By Jim Rose
Located in Chicago, IL
Jim Rose, known primarily for his steel furniture, was an avid collector and scoured salvage yards for unique, interesting items. Here he has taken heavy gauge wire and formed it into a simple dog and placed it upon a salvaged steel cylinder. These repurposed items combine to form this small simple sculpture that will sure to bring a smile to its owner. Jim Rose Objects No. 04 Found and Collected Objects 6.50h x 6w x 10.50d in 16.51h x 15.24w x 26.67d cm JR0291 Jim Rose b. 1966, d. 2023 Bio Born in Indiana, Jim Rose lived in Europe until he returned to the United States to attend college. After one year at Bard College, Jim transferred to the School of the Art Institute in Chicago (SAIC) where he graduated in 1988 with a BFA. His skillful interpretation of the Shaker design is a result of intense research and field study of Shaker furniture, architecture, culture and history. After over two decades of dedicated work, he has mastered the minimalism of the Shaker technique and created his own unique visual vernacular. The quilts of Gee's Bend have become a monumental influence taking this artist's work to new levels of unique interpretation and artistry. His selection of aged steel results in a patina directly related to that of aged wood while his colored strips beautifully mimic worn cloth. Each piece of furniture is masterfully made and intended for daily use. Jim Rose’s steel furniture is featured every year at SOFA Chicago for the past 25 years. Jim Rose b. 1966, Wisconsin Education 1989 B.F.A., Sculpture, The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, IL 1988 Student at Large, Welding Technology, Triton College, Chicago, IL 1985 Undergraduate Photography Bard College, Annandale-on-Hudson, New York Awards 2008 Wisconsin Arts Board Fellowship Award, Madison, WI. 2005 Elizabeth R. Raphael Founder’s Prize, Society for Contemporary Craft, Pittsburgh, PA 2003 Grant Recipient for Shaker Interpretations in Cast Iron, PA Arts Assoc / WI Arts Board 2003 Arts/Industry Residency Program for Visual Artists, John Michael Kohler Arts Center, Sheboygan, Wisconsin Solo Exhibitions 2023 Jim Rose CODA, Gallery Victor, Chicago, IL 2020 Unseen, Gallery Victor Armendariz, Chicago, IL 2017 New Work, Tory Folliard Gallery, Milwaukee, WI 2012 Simply Steel, Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum, Wausau, WI 2007 Variation, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL 2003 New Work, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL 2001 Shaker in Steel / New Work, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL 2000 Shaker in Steel / New Work, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL 1999 Hands and Heart to Steel III, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL National Exhibitions 2023 Intersect Palm Springs, Gallery Victor, Palm Springs, CA 2018 SOFA Chicago 2018, Gallery Victor Armendariz, Chicago, IL Art Market Hamptons, Gallery Victor Armendariz, Bridgehampton, NY Art on Paper, Gallery Victor, Metropolitan Pavilion, New York, NY 2017 - 2019 SOFA Chicago – Gallery Victor Armendariz 2016 - 1995 SOFA Chicago, New York, Palm Beach - Ann Nathan Gallery 2011 - 2002 Art Chicago - Ann Nathan Gallery Group Exhibitions 2017 Coming Attractions: Inaugural Exhibition, Gallery Victor Armendariz, Chicago, IL 2017 Living with Art: The Newman Collection, 108 Contemporary, Tulsa, Oklahoma 2016 Form Follows Function: The Intersection of Art and Craft, The Hardy Gallery, Ephraim, Wi 2015 NEO, Chipstone Foundation, Milwaukee Art Museum, Milwaukee, WI 2015 ICFF, Furniture Society, Javits Convention Center, New York City, NY 2013 Vahki Revisited, The Enduring Spirit of a Craft Collection” Mesa Contemporary Arts, Mesa, AZ 2013 Fearless Furniture, Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites, Indianapolis, IN 2013 Inaugural Exhibition, Museum Wisconsin of Art, West Bend, WI 2012 Sitting Pretty: Furniture from RAM’s Collection, Racine Art Museum, WI 2011 Hiding Places: Memory in the Arts, John Michael Kohler Arts Center, WI 2010 Living with Art, Strohl Art Center, Chautauqua Institution, NY 2009 Summer in Wisconsin, Tory Folliard Gallery, Milwaukee, WI 2009 High Honors, James Watrous Gallery, Madison, WI 2008 Second Lives: Remixing the Ordinary, Museum of Art and Design, NY 2007 Transformation 5: Contemporary Works in Found Materials, Art Association, Jackson, WY 2007 Transformation 5: Contemporary Works in Found Materials, Houston Center for Contemporary Craft, Houston, TX (traveling exhibition) 2006 Show us Your Drawers, Herron School of Art, Indianapolis, IN 2006 Marriage of the Minds...
Category

2010s American Folk Art Jim Rose Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Metal, Steel

Found Object Sculpture - Collected Steel Assemblage No. 07 by Jim Rose
By Jim Rose
Located in Chicago, IL
Using entirely found and collected steel objects, this sculpture shows the beauty of repurposed steel. Meticulously crafted, artist Jim Rose was a master welder as well as artistic c...
Category

2010s American Shaker Jim Rose Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Steel

Found Object Sculpture - Collected Steel Assemblage No. 05 by Jim Rose
By Jim Rose
Located in Chicago, IL
Using entirely found and collected steel objects, this sculpture shows the beauty of repurposed steel. Meticulously crafted, artist Jim Rose was a master welder as well as artistic c...
Category

2010s American Shaker Jim Rose Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Steel

Found Object Sculpture - Collected Steel Assemblage No. 3 by Jim Rose
By Jim Rose
Located in Chicago, IL
Using entirely found and collected steel objects, this sculpture shows the beauty of repurposed steel. Meticulously crafted, artist Jim Rose was a master welder as well as artistic c...
Category

2010s American Shaker Jim Rose Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Steel

Assemblage No. 10, Found Object Minimalist Welded Steel Wall Sculpture
By Jim Rose
Located in Chicago, IL
Using entirely found and collected steel objects, this sculpture shows the beauty of repurposed steel. Meticulously crafted, artist Jim Rose was a master welder as well as artistic c...
Category

2010s American Shaker Jim Rose Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Steel

Jim Rose - Construct No. 02, Salvaged Steel and Aluminum Industrial Objects
By Jim Rose
Located in Chicago, IL
Jim Rose, known primarily for his steel furniture, was an avid collector and scoured salvage yards for unique, interesting items. Here he has welded together various washers and cyl...
Category

2010s American Folk Art Jim Rose Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Metal, Steel

Found and Salvaged Steel House Structure on a Reclaimed Steel Plate, Wooden Base
By Jim Rose
Located in Chicago, IL
Jim Rose, known primarily for his steel furniture, was an avid collector and scoured salvage yards for unique and interesting items. Here, a collection of found steel is reworked whi...
Category

2010s American Folk Art Jim Rose Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Metal, Steel

Found and Salvaged Steel Structure on a Steel & Wooden Circular Base
By Jim Rose
Located in Chicago, IL
Jim Rose, known primarily for his steel furniture, was an avid collector and scoured salvage yards for unique and interesting items. Here, a collection of spare parts come together ...
Category

2010s American Folk Art Jim Rose Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Metal, Steel

Jim Rose - Construct No. 03, Salvaged Steel and Aluminum Industrial Objects
By Jim Rose
Located in Chicago, IL
Jim Rose, known primarily for his steel furniture, was an avid collector and scoured salvage yards for unique, interesting items. Here he has welded together various washers, nuts, ...
Category

2010s American Folk Art Jim Rose Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Metal, Steel

Related Items
Folk Art Carved and Painted Owl Decoy, USA, 1900's
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Folk Art carved and painted owl decoy, USA 1900's A decorative barn owl carving decoy Original paint with even wear. Mounted over a new iron stand. We have...
Category

20th Century American Folk Art Jim Rose Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Folk Art Carved and Painted Owl Decoy, USA, 1900's
Folk Art Carved and Painted Owl Decoy, USA, 1900's
$4,500
H 21.26 in W 7.09 in D 5.52 in
Transitional Object No. 11, Imaginary Friend Soft Sculpture
By Gabriela Noelle
Located in Miami, FL
Gabriela Noelle welcomes us into an alluring and whimsical realm with the collection Imaginary Friends. Inspired by the subconscious of a child’s creative and inventive mind, the collection reveals the imagination to posses more power than concepts of reality instilled and defined in adulthood. Her series Transitional Objects...
Category

2010s American Other Jim Rose Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Lambskin, Mohair, Terrazzo, Fur, Acrylic, Lucite

The Virgin Mary Bust, 'Virgin Mary House' Replica Compressed Marble Powder No:1
By LAGU
Located in İSTANBUL, TR
This sculpture depicts the Virgin Mary, who is known as the mother of Jesus in Christian mythology. Weighing 1.5 kg, this sculpture is produced from pressed marble powder and made using the original molds from the museum. It can be used both indoors and outdoors. This work of art holds a special place for those interested in Christian art. The original depiction of the Virgin Mary makes it an excellent choice for art enthusiasts and collectors. Thanks to the high-quality material used in its production and the quality craftsmanship, it provides durability for many years. It can be used as a wonderful decorative piece in your garden, home, or office since it is suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. This Virgin Mary sculpture...
Category

2010s Turkish Classical Greek Jim Rose Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Statuary Marble

Signed Modern Abstract Constructivist Styled Wooden Sculpture
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This contemporary abstract wooden sculpture was done by Czeslaw Budny a Polish-Canadian artist in the constructivist style in circa 2010. This sculpture was made entirely of up-cycle...
Category

2010s Canadian Mid-Century Modern Jim Rose Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Brutalist Welded Steel Sculpture by California Artist Paul Kasper
By Paul Kasper
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Welded steel Brutalist sculpture by Paul Kasper, circa 1960s. Was purchased from the estate of Paul Kasper. Biography Paul Kasper. Paul Charles Kasper was born in Whiting, I...
Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Jim Rose Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Steel

The Virgin Mary Bust, 'Virgin Mary House' Replica Compressed Marble Powder No:2
By LAGU
Located in İSTANBUL, TR
This sculpture depicts the Virgin Mary, who is known as the mother of Jesus in Christian mythology. Weighing 1.5 kg, this sculpture is produced from pressed marble powder and made us...
Category

2010s Turkish Folk Art Jim Rose Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Statuary Marble

18th Century Wooden Cross, Guanajuato, Mexico
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Wooden cross Guanajuato, Mexico Wood, paint 22 x 13 inches, (56 cm x 33 cm) 18th century A wonderful old wooden cross with a painted crucified Christ figure, an angel, possibly Mary Magdelene...
Category

18th Century Mexican Folk Art Antique Jim Rose Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Paint, Wood

Unusual Gilt Metal Leopard, Formed of Welded Steel Washers
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Very unusual sculpture of a leopard, painstakingly formed by welding stock steel washers into its exquisite seated pose, having a gilded finish. ...
Category

20th Century Jim Rose Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Steel

Hermes Bust Made with Compressed Marble Powder, 'Side Museum' No:3
By LAGU
Located in İSTANBUL, TR
Hermes is the messenger god in Greek mythology. He is the quickest and most clever of the gods. The original is displayed in the Side Museum. Measure: height: 11.8'' / Weight: 2 k...
Category

2010s Turkish Classical Greek Jim Rose Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Statuary Marble

Brutalist modern Marcello Fantoni copper on welded steel sculpture
By Marcello Fantoni
Located in Ferndale, MI
Believed to be one of Marcello Fantoni's (1915 - 2011 ) earlier works sculptor, ceramicist, metalworker, multi-media artist and designer . A study in patina and corrosion in brutal...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Jim Rose Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Copper, Steel

Brutalist modern Marcello Fantoni copper on welded steel  sculpture
Brutalist modern Marcello Fantoni copper on welded steel  sculpture
$2,900 Sale Price
21% Off
H 25 in W 26 in D 6 in
African Folk Art Hand Carved Sculpture Fork and Spoon
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Hand carved African tribal wood carved sculpture of a men and women, Africa tribal Art Decor. Kenyan tribal sculpture featuring an elongated standing man and women with a crown and metal choker. Very simple modern look carved ethnic sculpture...
Category

20th Century Kenyan Folk Art Jim Rose Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Grand Scale Hand Carved Wood Giraffe Sculpture on Base circa 1970's
Located in St. Louis, MO
Grand scale African folk art hand carved wood giraffe, with charred black stained spots. Appears to be carved from log. In fine vintage condition. Unsigne...
Category

1970s African Folk Art Vintage Jim Rose Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Previously Available Items
Found and Salvaged Steel with Wooden Industrial Objects
By Jim Rose
Located in Chicago, IL
Jim Rose, known primarily for his steel furniture, was an avid collector and scoured salvage yards for unique, interesting items. Here, a beautifully rusted wheel and a small wedge ...
Category

2010s American Folk Art Jim Rose Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Metal, Steel

Jim Rose abstract sculptures for sale on 1stDibs.

Jim Rose abstract sculptures are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of steel and are designed with extraordinary care. Many of the original abstract sculptures by Jim Rose were created in the folk art style in united states during the 21st century and contemporary. Prices for Jim Rose abstract sculptures can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $350 and can go as high as $1,500, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $1,500.

Recently Viewed

View All