Lee Bontecou

Lee Bontecou

Born on January 15, 1931 in Rhode IslandShe attended public school and was not interested in art until college.She attended the Arts Student League in New York as well as the Maine Skowhegan Art School; where she learned metals and weldingShe traveled to Italy on a scholarship and when she returned to New York, she began experimenting with unconventional materials.She used mostly found maeterials including mail bags, wire, and even airplane parts.She transforms the materials into complex sculpturesBontecous innovative work made her a famous artist in the 1960s, but in the 80s she removed herself from the mainstream art scene to work privately and continue her explorations . She taught at Brooklyn College in Pennsylvania.

Untitled #3 (1998), Silver and bronze pencil

Untitled. c. 1958. American, born 1931. Soot on paperboard

Lot 16, "Untitled," by Lee Bontecou, welded steel, canvas and copper wire, 23 by 24 by 7 inches, 1960 Lot 16, "Untitled," by Lee Bontecou, welded steel, canvas and copper wire, 23 by 24 by 7 inches, 1960 Lot 16 is a fine untitled wall relief by Lee Bontecou (b. 1931). A welded steel, canvas and copper wire construction, it measures 23 by 24 by 7 inches, it was created in 1960. It has a conservative estimate of $50,000 to $70,000. It sold for $298,700, breaking the previous world auction record for the artist of $46,000 set at Sotheby's in 1993.

10

Her work is very scientific and complex; from her drawings to her scultptures. Transformation of found materials is the essence of her work .

Plate 160-161c.1980-1998

Lee Bontecou

As much of life as possible-no barriers-no boundries-all freedom in every sense. Elizabeth SmithDiscussionWhat found materials can we use that we encounter every day?What are the advantages and disadvantages of using found materials to make artwork?

Project

Using found materials a 10x10 sculptural fiber piece will be created.Transforming the materials and their original purpose.