Fred Sandback

Born in 1943 in Bronxville, New York, United States.

Died in 2003 in New York, United States.

Fred Sandback was an American sculptor associated with the Minimalist movement, known for his subtle and radical exploration of space through the use of simple materials, most notably colored acrylic yarn. With just a few taut lines, he defined volumes, planes, and perspectives, transforming the viewer’s perception of the surrounding space. His works exist less as objects than as spatial situations, inviting quiet contemplation and an acute awareness of architecture and presence.

Rejecting the monumentality often associated with sculpture, Sandback created works that engage the viewer’s imagination and movement. By suggesting form rather than imposing it, he achieved a unique balance between precision and immateriality. His installations, which vary according to their architectural context, embody an idea of sculpture as an open and experiential field.

Fred Sandback’s work has been exhibited internationally, including at the Dia Art Foundation, New York (ongoing installation since 1992), the Kunstmuseum Liechtenstein, Vaduz (2005), the Whitechapel Gallery, London (2011), and the Glenstone Museum, Potomac (2018). His works are included in major public collections such as the Museum of Modern Art, New York; the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York; the Centre Pompidou, Paris; the Kunstmuseum Liechtenstein, Vaduz; and the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.