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Bruce Conner

Biography

Bruce Conner (b. 1933, McPherson, KS, d. 2008, San Francisco, CA), who worked in sculpture, collage, painting, drawing, and film, was one of the foremost American artists of the postwar era. Emerging from the California art scene, Conner’s work touches on various themes of postwar American society, from a rising consumer culture to the dread of nuclear apocalypse. His works have been included in major exhibitions, such as the historic 1961 “The Art of Assemblage” at the Museum of Modern Art. Career retrospectives have been presented at Walker Art Center in Minneapolis (2000)—which traveled to the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, the M.H. de Young Memorial Museum in San Francisco, and the Los Angeles Museum of Contemporary Art—and at the Museum of Modern Art, New York (2016), which traveled to San Francisco Museum of Modern Art in California and Museo Reina Sofia in Madrid. His works are represented in many public collections, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art; the Whitney Museum of American Art; the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.; and the Centre Pompidou, Paris.

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Selected Works

Selected Works Thumbnails
Bruce Conner CROSSROADS, 1976 35 mm, black and white sound film 36 minutes Original music by Patrick Gleeson and Terry Riley

Bruce Conner
CROSSROADS, 1976
35 mm, black and white sound film
36 minutes
Original music by Patrick Gleeson and Terry Riley

 

Emily Feather and Friend Miguel A, 2004 ink on paper image: 11 1/2 x 7 3/8 in. (29.2 x 18.7 cm) paper: 12 x 8 in. (30.5 x 20.3 cm) frame: 18 1/2 x 13 1/2 x 1 1/4 in. (47 x 34.3 x 3.2 cm)

Emily Feather and Friend
Miguel A, 2004
ink on paper
image: 11 1/2 x 7 3/8 in. (29.2 x 18.7 cm)
paper: 12 x 8 in. (30.5 x 20.3 cm)
frame: 18 1/2 x 13 1/2 x 1 1/4 in. (47 x 34.3 x 3.2 cm)

Bruce Conner THIRTEEN COLOR PUNK PHOTOS, 1978-2012 portfolio of 13 pigmented ink jet prints paper size, each: 22 x 17 in. (55.9 x 43.2 cm) image size, each: 20 x 13 1/2 in. (50.8 x 34.3 cm) Edition of 5, 2 AP

Bruce Conner
THIRTEEN COLOR PUNK PHOTOS, 1978-2012
portfolio of 13 pigmented ink jet prints
paper size, each: 22 x 17 in. (55.9 x 43.2 cm)
image size, each: 20 x 13 1/2 in. (50.8 x 34.3 cm)
Edition of 5, 2 AP

Bruce Conner THE MUTANTS, MARCH 7, 1978, 1985 gelatin silver print 27 1/4 x 39 1/8 in. (69.2 x 99.4 cm) framed: 32 1/2 x 44 1/4 x 2 in. (82.6 x 112.4 x 5.1 cm)

Bruce Conner
THE MUTANTS, MARCH 7, 1978, 1985
gelatin silver print
27 1/4 x 39 1/8 in. (69.2 x 99.4 cm)
framed: 32 1/2 x 44 1/4 x 2 in. (82.6 x 112.4 x 5.1 cm)

Bruce Conner AT THE HEAD OF THE STAIRS, 2003 cotton, fire-retardant polyester, and wool Jacquard tapestry 92 x 82 in. (233.7 x 208.3 cm) Edition of 6

Bruce Conner
AT THE HEAD OF THE STAIRS, 2003
cotton, fire-retardant polyester, and wool Jacquard tapestry
92 x 82 in. (233.7 x 208.3 cm)
Edition of 6

Bruce Conner LOOKING FOR MUSHROOMS, 1959-67/1996 16mm to 35mm optical blow-up, color, sound, 14.5min dimensions variable Edition of 6, 2 AP

Bruce Conner
LOOKING FOR MUSHROOMS, 1959-67/1996
16mm to 35mm optical blow-up, color, sound, 14.5min
dimensions variable
Edition of 6, 2 AP

Bruce Conner UNTITLED (DO NOT REMOVE), 1960 plastic pouch, ribbon with tape, embossed paper, postage stamps [verso and recto], feathers, shells and mylar portfolio with ribbon: 22 1/4 x 8 1/2 x 1/2 in. (56.5 x 21.6 x 1.3 cm) frame: 26 1/2 x 8 1/2 x 2 in. (67.3 x 21.6 x 5.1 cm)

Bruce Conner
UNTITLED (DO NOT REMOVE), 1960
plastic pouch, ribbon with tape, embossed paper, postage stamps [verso and recto], feathers, shells and mylar 
portfolio with ribbon: 22 1/4 x 8 1/2 x 1/2 in. (56.5 x 21.6 x 1.3 cm)
frame: 26 1/2 x 8 1/2 x 2 in. (67.3 x 21.6 x 5.1 cm)

Bruce Conner: IT’S ALL TRUE, Museum of Modern Art, New York, NY, 2016.
Bruce Conner: IT’S ALL TRUE, Museum of Modern Art, New York, NY, 2016.  
Bruce Conner: IT’S ALL TRUE, Museum of Modern Art, New York, NY, 2016.

Bruce Conner: IT’S ALL TRUE, Museum of Modern Art, New York, NY, 2016.

 

Bruce Conner UNTITLED, March 26, 1975 ink on paper image: 9 7/8 x 9 7/8 in. (25.1 x 25.1 cm) frame: 17 3/4 x 17 3/4 x 1 1/4 in. (45.1 x 45.1 x 3.2 cm)

Bruce Conner
UNTITLED, March 26, 1975
ink on paper
image: 9 7/8 x 9 7/8 in. (25.1 x 25.1 cm)
frame: 17 3/4 x 17 3/4 x 1 1/4 in. (45.1 x 45.1 x 3.2 cm)

Bruce Conner EASTER MORNING, 1966/2008 8mm transferred to digital video, color, sound, 10min dimensions variable Edition of 6, 2 AP original music by Terry Riley

Bruce Conner
EASTER MORNING, 1966/2008
8mm transferred to digital video, color, sound, 10min
dimensions variable
Edition of 6, 2 AP
original music by Terry Riley

Bruce Conner CHRIST CASTING OUT THE LEGION OF DEVILS, 2003 cotton, fire-retardant polyester, and wool Jacquard tapestry 104 1/2 x 115 in. (265.4 x 292.1 cm) Edition of 6

Bruce Conner
CHRIST CASTING OUT THE LEGION OF DEVILS, 2003
cotton, fire-retardant polyester, and wool Jacquard tapestry
104 1/2 x 115 in. (265.4 x 292.1 cm)
Edition of 6

Bruce Conner FLOATING HEAD, 1958-59 mixed media and epoxy on board 17 x 17 in. (43.2 x 43.2 cm) frame: 26 x 26 x 4 3/4 in. (66 x 66 x 12.1 cm)

Bruce Conner
FLOATING HEAD, 1958-59
mixed media and epoxy on board
17 x 17 in. (43.2 x 43.2 cm)
frame: 26 x 26 x 4 3/4 in. (66 x 66 x 12.1 cm)

Bruce Conner CROSSROADS, 1976 35 mm, black and white sound film 36 minutes Original music by Patrick Gleeson and Terry Riley

Bruce Conner
CROSSROADS, 1976
35 mm, black and white sound film
36 minutes
Original music by Patrick Gleeson and Terry Riley

 

Emily Feather and Friend Miguel A, 2004 ink on paper image: 11 1/2 x 7 3/8 in. (29.2 x 18.7 cm) paper: 12 x 8 in. (30.5 x 20.3 cm) frame: 18 1/2 x 13 1/2 x 1 1/4 in. (47 x 34.3 x 3.2 cm)

Emily Feather and Friend
Miguel A, 2004
ink on paper
image: 11 1/2 x 7 3/8 in. (29.2 x 18.7 cm)
paper: 12 x 8 in. (30.5 x 20.3 cm)
frame: 18 1/2 x 13 1/2 x 1 1/4 in. (47 x 34.3 x 3.2 cm)

Bruce Conner THIRTEEN COLOR PUNK PHOTOS, 1978-2012 portfolio of 13 pigmented ink jet prints paper size, each: 22 x 17 in. (55.9 x 43.2 cm) image size, each: 20 x 13 1/2 in. (50.8 x 34.3 cm) Edition of 5, 2 AP

Bruce Conner
THIRTEEN COLOR PUNK PHOTOS, 1978-2012
portfolio of 13 pigmented ink jet prints
paper size, each: 22 x 17 in. (55.9 x 43.2 cm)
image size, each: 20 x 13 1/2 in. (50.8 x 34.3 cm)
Edition of 5, 2 AP

Bruce Conner THE MUTANTS, MARCH 7, 1978, 1985 gelatin silver print 27 1/4 x 39 1/8 in. (69.2 x 99.4 cm) framed: 32 1/2 x 44 1/4 x 2 in. (82.6 x 112.4 x 5.1 cm)

Bruce Conner
THE MUTANTS, MARCH 7, 1978, 1985
gelatin silver print
27 1/4 x 39 1/8 in. (69.2 x 99.4 cm)
framed: 32 1/2 x 44 1/4 x 2 in. (82.6 x 112.4 x 5.1 cm)

Bruce Conner AT THE HEAD OF THE STAIRS, 2003 cotton, fire-retardant polyester, and wool Jacquard tapestry 92 x 82 in. (233.7 x 208.3 cm) Edition of 6

Bruce Conner
AT THE HEAD OF THE STAIRS, 2003
cotton, fire-retardant polyester, and wool Jacquard tapestry
92 x 82 in. (233.7 x 208.3 cm)
Edition of 6

Bruce Conner LOOKING FOR MUSHROOMS, 1959-67/1996 16mm to 35mm optical blow-up, color, sound, 14.5min dimensions variable Edition of 6, 2 AP

Bruce Conner
LOOKING FOR MUSHROOMS, 1959-67/1996
16mm to 35mm optical blow-up, color, sound, 14.5min
dimensions variable
Edition of 6, 2 AP

Bruce Conner UNTITLED (DO NOT REMOVE), 1960 plastic pouch, ribbon with tape, embossed paper, postage stamps [verso and recto], feathers, shells and mylar portfolio with ribbon: 22 1/4 x 8 1/2 x 1/2 in. (56.5 x 21.6 x 1.3 cm) frame: 26 1/2 x 8 1/2 x 2 in. (67.3 x 21.6 x 5.1 cm)

Bruce Conner
UNTITLED (DO NOT REMOVE), 1960
plastic pouch, ribbon with tape, embossed paper, postage stamps [verso and recto], feathers, shells and mylar 
portfolio with ribbon: 22 1/4 x 8 1/2 x 1/2 in. (56.5 x 21.6 x 1.3 cm)
frame: 26 1/2 x 8 1/2 x 2 in. (67.3 x 21.6 x 5.1 cm)

Bruce Conner: IT’S ALL TRUE, Museum of Modern Art, New York, NY, 2016.

Bruce Conner: IT’S ALL TRUE, Museum of Modern Art, New York, NY, 2016.

 

Bruce Conner UNTITLED, March 26, 1975 ink on paper image: 9 7/8 x 9 7/8 in. (25.1 x 25.1 cm) frame: 17 3/4 x 17 3/4 x 1 1/4 in. (45.1 x 45.1 x 3.2 cm)

Bruce Conner
UNTITLED, March 26, 1975
ink on paper
image: 9 7/8 x 9 7/8 in. (25.1 x 25.1 cm)
frame: 17 3/4 x 17 3/4 x 1 1/4 in. (45.1 x 45.1 x 3.2 cm)

Bruce Conner EASTER MORNING, 1966/2008 8mm transferred to digital video, color, sound, 10min dimensions variable Edition of 6, 2 AP original music by Terry Riley

Bruce Conner
EASTER MORNING, 1966/2008
8mm transferred to digital video, color, sound, 10min
dimensions variable
Edition of 6, 2 AP
original music by Terry Riley

Bruce Conner CHRIST CASTING OUT THE LEGION OF DEVILS, 2003 cotton, fire-retardant polyester, and wool Jacquard tapestry 104 1/2 x 115 in. (265.4 x 292.1 cm) Edition of 6

Bruce Conner
CHRIST CASTING OUT THE LEGION OF DEVILS, 2003
cotton, fire-retardant polyester, and wool Jacquard tapestry
104 1/2 x 115 in. (265.4 x 292.1 cm)
Edition of 6

Bruce Conner FLOATING HEAD, 1958-59 mixed media and epoxy on board 17 x 17 in. (43.2 x 43.2 cm) frame: 26 x 26 x 4 3/4 in. (66 x 66 x 12.1 cm)

Bruce Conner
FLOATING HEAD, 1958-59
mixed media and epoxy on board
17 x 17 in. (43.2 x 43.2 cm)
frame: 26 x 26 x 4 3/4 in. (66 x 66 x 12.1 cm)

Video

Bruce Conner
THE WHITE ROSE (excerpt), 1967
16mm to 35mm blow-up, black/white, sound, 7min
dimensions variable
Edition 6, + 2 APs
© Conner Family Trust, San Francisco, © 2021 The Jay DeFeo Foundation / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York