Leon Polk Smith: Going Beyond Space

Leon Polk Smith's dynamic, geometric abstractions connect the European avant-garde with American Abstract Expressionism of the 1940s and 1950s. His pioneering role in the hard-edge style with its neat monochromatic fields of color and shaped canvases led to new interrelations between his compositions and spatial context. This book features collages, reliefs, and painted objects and proposes a new reception of Smith's decades-spanning oeuvre.

Format: Hardback
Length: 176 pages
Publication date: 11 May 2023
Publisher: Hatje Cantz

From a contemporary vantage point, Leon Polk Smith's dynamic, geometric abstractions emerge as a significant gap in art history. His artistic creations establish a profound connection between the European avant-garde and the American Abstract Expressionism of the 1940s and 1950s, drawing upon the influence of Piet Mondrian. Smith's pioneering contributions to the hard-edge style, characterized by its precise monochromatic fields of color and shaped canvases, not only originated in America but also had a profound impact on European art. By departing from the traditional rectangular canvas, Smith unlocked new possibilities for interrelating his sophisticated two-color compositions with the spatial context.

One of the pivotal moments in his career was the creation of his renowned Constellations series, spanning from 1967 to 1975. This series represents the pinnacle of Smith's artistic achievements and garnered him international artistic acclaim. In addition to his early compositions from the 1940s and his multi-part shaped canvases, this book showcases collages, reliefs, and painted objects, offering a fresh perspective on Smith's extensive oeuvre spanning several decades. Through these diverse artistic mediums, Smith invites viewers to explore the interplay between color and space, challenging conventional notions of artistic expression and expanding the boundaries of visual art.

Weight: 1028g
Dimension: 304 x 252 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783775754712