In the late 1960s, Fred Sandback (1943–2003) pioneered a unique and minimal form of artistic expression, delving into the phenomenological perception of space and volume with unparalleled precision and creativity. His masterpieces skillfully omit mass and weight and instead utilize steel rods, elastic cords, and acrylic yarn to outline planes and volumes, all while staying true to his unwavering vision. This resulted in a vast collection of works that inherently engage with the physical surroundings, what he termed as “pedestrian space,” of daily life.
Sandback’s earliest exhibitions were held at Galerie Konrad Fischer, Düsseldorf and Galerie Heiner Friedrich, Munich in 1968, during his time as a graduate student pursuing his MFA at Yale School of Art and Architecture. Furthermore, his work was also showcased at Dwan Gallery, New York (1969); Museum Haus Lange, Krefeld, Germany (1969); Kunsthalle Bern (1973); Museum Folkwang, Essen, Germany (1974); Hessisches Landesmuseum, Darmstadt, Germany (1975); Kunsthaus Zürich (1985); Kestner Gesellschaft, Hannover, Germany (1987); and Westfälischer Kunstverein, Münster, Germany (1987).
Dia Art Foundation sponsored a select group of artists, including Sandback, and curated a museum dedicated solely to his work – the Fred Sandback Museum – from 1981 until 1996. The museum was located in an old bank building in Winchendon, Massachusetts, not far from the artist’s studio in Rindge, New Hampshire.
www.ftn-books.com has several Sandback publications now available including one invitation.
