Skip to content

Biography

Known primarily as a sculptor, Robert Grosvenor (b. 1937, New York) has eluded artistic categorization during his more than fifty-year career, producing diverse, singular works that explore the spatial dynamics between object, architecture, and viewer. His work was included in the seminally important group exhibitions Primary Structures (Jewish Museum, 1966) and Minimal Art (Gemeentemuseum Den Haag, 1968), which helped define minimalism. He soon diverged from this movement to create challenging works that resist assimilation to any of the prevailing art movements. One-person exhibitions of Grosvenor’s work have been presented at the Kunsthalle Bern, Switzerland (1992); the Fundação de Serralves, Porto, Portugal (2005); the Renaissance Society, Chicago, IL (2017); and the ICA Miami (2019). Grosvenor’s work is in the collections of the Walker Art Center, Minneapolis; Storm King Art Center, New York; the Museum of Modern Art, New York; the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Washington, D.C.; the Whitney Museum of American Art, New York; the Serralves Museum, Porto; and the Centre Pompidou, Paris. Grosvenor lives and works in Long Island, New York.

Selected Works

Selected Works Thumbnails
Robert Grosvenor Untitled, 1991 steel, concrete block, fiberglass and plastic 87 x 42 1/2 x 86 in. (221 x 108 x 218.4 cm)

Robert Grosvenor
Untitled, 1991
steel, concrete block, fiberglass and plastic
87 x 42 1/2 x 86 in. (221 x 108 x 218.4 cm)

Robert Grosvenor Untitled (yellow) 1966/2016, aluminum and epoxy enamel 13 x 28 x 8 feet (398.7 x 844.6 x 252.1 cm) 55 1/8 in. (140 cm) Installation view, Los Angeles to New York: Dwan Gallery 1959-1971, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, March 19 - September 10, 2017

Robert Grosvenor
Untitled (yellow)
1966/2016, aluminum and epoxy enamel
13 x 28 x 8 feet (398.7 x 844.6 x 252.1 cm) 55 1/8 in. (140 cm)
Installation view, Los Angeles to New York: Dwan Gallery 1959-1971, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, March 19 - September 10, 2017

Robert Grosvenor Untitled, 1989-90 concrete blocks, plexiglass, and painted steel 46 1/2 x 157 3/4 x 247 1/2 in. (118.1 x 400.7 x 628.7 cm) Installation view, Renaissance Society, February 11 - April 9, 2017 Photo by Tom Van Eynde

Robert Grosvenor
Untitled, 1989-90
concrete blocks, plexiglass, and painted steel
46 1/2 x 157 3/4 x 247 1/2 in. (118.1 x 400.7 x 628.7 cm)
Installation view, Renaissance Society, February 11 - April 9, 2017
Photo by Tom Van Eynde

Robert Grosvenor Quadrum, 2005-2006  steel, aluminum, fiberglass, enamel paint 4 parts, aluminum: 13 x 204 x 84 inches (33 x 518.2 x 213.4 cm), painted steel: 24 x 72 x 48 inches (61 x 182.9 x 121.9 cm), painted steel: 24 x 72 x 48 inches (61 x 182.9 x 121.9 cm), aluminum: 83 x 83 x 1 1/2 inches (210.8 x 210.8 x 3.2 cm)

Robert Grosvenor
Quadrum, 2005-2006 
steel, aluminum, fiberglass, enamel paint
4 parts, aluminum: 13 x 204 x 84 inches (33 x 518.2 x 213.4 cm), painted steel: 24 x 72 x 48 inches (61 x 182.9 x 121.9 cm), painted steel: 24 x 72 x 48 inches (61 x 182.9 x 121.9 cm), aluminum: 83 x 83 x 1 1/2 inches (210.8 x 210.8 x 3.2 cm)

Robert Grosvenor Untitled, circa 2000-2013 photograph image: 4 x 6 in. (10.2 x 15.2 cm) frame: 13 x 14 1/2 in. (33 x 36.8 cm)

Robert Grosvenor
Untitled, circa 2000-2013
photograph
image: 4 x 6 in. (10.2 x 15.2 cm) frame: 13 x 14 1/2 in. (33 x 36.8 cm)

Robert Grosvenor Untitled, 2009 fiberglass, flocking and aluminum composed of two units: red unit: 48 x 48 x 192 in. (121.9 x 121.9 x 487.7 cm), aluminum unit: 48 x 312 x 1/2 in. (121.9 x 792.5 x 1.3 cm)

Robert Grosvenor
Untitled, 2009
fiberglass, flocking and aluminum
composed of two units: red unit: 48 x 48 x 192 in. (121.9 x 121.9 x 487.7 cm), aluminum unit: 48 x 312 x 1/2 in. (121.9 x 792.5 x 1.3 cm)

Robert Grosvenor Subdivision D, 2000 unique photocopy 11 x 8 1/2 in. (28 x 21.7 cm) frame: 12 x 9 5/8 in. (30 x 24.3 cm)

Robert Grosvenor
Subdivision D, 2000
unique photocopy
11 x 8 1/2 in. (28 x 21.7 cm)
frame: 12 x 9 5/8 in. (30 x 24.3 cm)

Robert Grosvenor Untitled, 2011 aluminum, fiberglass, plastic, concrete blocks, spray paint element #1 (table) 56 x 92 x 165 1/2 in. (142.2 x 233.7 x 420.4 cm), element #2 46 1/2 x 58 x 243 1/2 in. (118.1 x 147.3 x 618.5 cm), overall: 56 x 239 x 243 1/2 in. (142.2 x 607.1 x 618.5 cm)
Robert Grosvenor
Untitled, 2011
aluminum, fiberglass, plastic, concrete blocks, spray paint
element #1 (table) 56 x 92 x 165 1/2 in. (142.2 x 233.7 x 420.4 cm), element #2 46 1/2 x 58 x 243 1/2 in. (118.1 x 147.3 x 618.5 cm), overall: 56 x 239 x 243 1/2 in. (142.2 x 607.1 x 618.5 cm)
Robert Grosvenor Untitled, 2011 aluminum, fiberglass, plastic, concrete blocks, spray paint element #1 (table) 56 x 92 x 165 1/2 in. (142.2 x 233.7 x 420.4 cm), element #2 46 1/2 x 58 x 243 1/2 in. (118.1 x 147.3 x 618.5 cm), overall: 56 x 239 x 243 1/2 in. (142.2 x 607.1 x 618.5 cm)

Robert Grosvenor
Untitled, 2011
aluminum, fiberglass, plastic, concrete blocks, spray paint
element #1 (table) 56 x 92 x 165 1/2 in. (142.2 x 233.7 x 420.4 cm), element #2 46 1/2 x 58 x 243 1/2 in. (118.1 x 147.3 x 618.5 cm), overall: 56 x 239 x 243 1/2 in. (142.2 x 607.1 x 618.5 cm)

Robert Grosvenor Untitled, 1999 fossil rock, sheet metal, plastic and acrylic enamel paint rock pile left - 34 1/4 x 36 x 34 1/2” (85.6 x 90 x 86.2 cm), rock pile right - 34 1/4 x 35 1/2 x 36” (85.6 x 88.7 x 90 cm), platform - 5 3/4 x 176 x 89” (14.3 x 440 x 222.5 cm), two plastic elements - 24 1/2 x 24 1/2 x 93” (61.2 x 61.2 x 232.5 cm), each overall - 34 1/4 ” x 31’10” x 28’6” (85.6 cm x 9.5 m x 8.5 m)
Robert Grosvenor
Untitled, 1999
fossil rock, sheet metal, plastic and acrylic enamel paint
rock pile left - 34 1/4 x 36 x 34 1/2” (85.6 x 90 x 86.2 cm), rock pile right - 34 1/4 x 35 1/2 x 36” (85.6 x 88.7 x 90 cm), platform - 5 3/4 x 176 x 89” (14.3 x 440 x 222.5 cm), two plastic elements - 24 1/2 x 24 1/2 x 93” (61.2 x 61.2 x 232.5 cm), each overall - 34 1/4 ” x 31’10” x 28’6” (85.6 cm x 9.5 m x 8.5 m)
Robert Grosvenor Untitled, 1999 fossil rock, sheet metal, plastic and acrylic enamel paint rock pile left - 34 1/4 x 36 x 34 1/2” (85.6 x 90 x 86.2 cm), rock pile right - 34 1/4 x 35 1/2 x 36” (85.6 x 88.7 x 90 cm), platform - 5 3/4 x 176 x 89” (14.3 x 440 x 222.5 cm), two plastic elements - 24 1/2 x 24 1/2 x 93” (61.2 x 61.2 x 232.5 cm), each overall - 34 1/4 ” x 31’10” x 28’6” (85.6 cm x 9.5 m x 8.5 m)

Robert Grosvenor
Untitled, 1999
fossil rock, sheet metal, plastic and acrylic enamel paint
rock pile left - 34 1/4 x 36 x 34 1/2” (85.6 x 90 x 86.2 cm), rock pile right - 34 1/4 x 35 1/2 x 36” (85.6 x 88.7 x 90 cm), platform - 5 3/4 x 176 x 89” (14.3 x 440 x 222.5 cm), two plastic elements - 24 1/2 x 24 1/2 x 93” (61.2 x 61.2 x 232.5 cm), each overall - 34 1/4 ” x 31’10” x 28’6” (85.6 cm x 9.5 m x 8.5 m)

Robert Grosvenor Untitled, 1997 stone, concrete, steel, glass, 4’5” x 30’9 1/2” x 8’4” (1.35 x 9.38 x 2.54 m) overall

Robert Grosvenor
Untitled, 1997
stone, concrete, steel, glass, 4’5” x 30’9 1/2” x 8’4” (1.35 x 9.38 x 2.54 m) overall

Robert Grosvenor Untitled, 2009 fiberglass, flocking and aluminum composed of two units: red unit: 48 x 48 x 192 in. (121.9 x 121.9 x 487.7 cm), aluminum unit: 48 x 312 x 1/2 in. (121.9 x 792.5 x 1.3 cm)

Robert Grosvenor
Untitled, 2009
fiberglass, flocking and aluminum
composed of two units: red unit: 48 x 48 x 192 in. (121.9 x 121.9 x 487.7 cm), aluminum unit: 48 x 312 x 1/2 in. (121.9 x 792.5 x 1.3 cm)

Robert Grosvenor Untitled, 1987-88 steel, plastic, 75 x 96 x 245 inches 190.5 x 243.8 x 622.3 cm

Robert Grosvenor
Untitled, 1987-88
steel, plastic, 75 x 96 x 245 inches 190.5 x 243.8 x 622.3 cm

Robert Grosvenor Untitled, 1980-81 pine, creosote, paint, 67 x 133 x 74 inches (170.2 x 337.8 x 188 cm)

Robert Grosvenor
Untitled, 1980-81
pine, creosote, paint, 67 x 133 x 74 inches (170.2 x 337.8 x 188 cm)

Robert Grosvenor Untitled, 1994 fiberglass, metal, plastic, and paint 38 x 167 in. diameter (96.5 x 424.2 cm diameter)

Robert Grosvenor
Untitled, 1994
fiberglass, metal, plastic, and paint
38 x 167 in. diameter (96.5 x 424.2 cm diameter)

Robert Grosvenor Untitled, 1974 masking tape, pencil on paper 39 1/8 x 62 inches (99.4 x 157.5 cm)

Robert Grosvenor
Untitled, 1974
masking tape, pencil on paper
39 1/8 x 62 inches (99.4 x 157.5 cm)

Robert Grosvenor Untitled, 1975 wood, creosote, grease 8 x 102 x 9 inches (20.3 x 259.1 x 22.9 cm)

Robert Grosvenor
Untitled, 1975
wood, creosote, grease
8 x 102 x 9 inches (20.3 x 259.1 x 22.9 cm)

Robert Grosvenor Untitled, 1991 steel, concrete block, fiberglass and plastic 87 x 42 1/2 x 86 in. (221 x 108 x 218.4 cm)

Robert Grosvenor
Untitled, 1991
steel, concrete block, fiberglass and plastic
87 x 42 1/2 x 86 in. (221 x 108 x 218.4 cm)

Robert Grosvenor Untitled (yellow) 1966/2016, aluminum and epoxy enamel 13 x 28 x 8 feet (398.7 x 844.6 x 252.1 cm) 55 1/8 in. (140 cm) Installation view, Los Angeles to New York: Dwan Gallery 1959-1971, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, March 19 - September 10, 2017

Robert Grosvenor
Untitled (yellow)
1966/2016, aluminum and epoxy enamel
13 x 28 x 8 feet (398.7 x 844.6 x 252.1 cm) 55 1/8 in. (140 cm)
Installation view, Los Angeles to New York: Dwan Gallery 1959-1971, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, March 19 - September 10, 2017

Robert Grosvenor Untitled, 1989-90 concrete blocks, plexiglass, and painted steel 46 1/2 x 157 3/4 x 247 1/2 in. (118.1 x 400.7 x 628.7 cm) Installation view, Renaissance Society, February 11 - April 9, 2017 Photo by Tom Van Eynde

Robert Grosvenor
Untitled, 1989-90
concrete blocks, plexiglass, and painted steel
46 1/2 x 157 3/4 x 247 1/2 in. (118.1 x 400.7 x 628.7 cm)
Installation view, Renaissance Society, February 11 - April 9, 2017
Photo by Tom Van Eynde

Robert Grosvenor Quadrum, 2005-2006  steel, aluminum, fiberglass, enamel paint 4 parts, aluminum: 13 x 204 x 84 inches (33 x 518.2 x 213.4 cm), painted steel: 24 x 72 x 48 inches (61 x 182.9 x 121.9 cm), painted steel: 24 x 72 x 48 inches (61 x 182.9 x 121.9 cm), aluminum: 83 x 83 x 1 1/2 inches (210.8 x 210.8 x 3.2 cm)

Robert Grosvenor
Quadrum, 2005-2006 
steel, aluminum, fiberglass, enamel paint
4 parts, aluminum: 13 x 204 x 84 inches (33 x 518.2 x 213.4 cm), painted steel: 24 x 72 x 48 inches (61 x 182.9 x 121.9 cm), painted steel: 24 x 72 x 48 inches (61 x 182.9 x 121.9 cm), aluminum: 83 x 83 x 1 1/2 inches (210.8 x 210.8 x 3.2 cm)

Robert Grosvenor Untitled, circa 2000-2013 photograph image: 4 x 6 in. (10.2 x 15.2 cm) frame: 13 x 14 1/2 in. (33 x 36.8 cm)

Robert Grosvenor
Untitled, circa 2000-2013
photograph
image: 4 x 6 in. (10.2 x 15.2 cm) frame: 13 x 14 1/2 in. (33 x 36.8 cm)

Robert Grosvenor Untitled, 2009 fiberglass, flocking and aluminum composed of two units: red unit: 48 x 48 x 192 in. (121.9 x 121.9 x 487.7 cm), aluminum unit: 48 x 312 x 1/2 in. (121.9 x 792.5 x 1.3 cm)

Robert Grosvenor
Untitled, 2009
fiberglass, flocking and aluminum
composed of two units: red unit: 48 x 48 x 192 in. (121.9 x 121.9 x 487.7 cm), aluminum unit: 48 x 312 x 1/2 in. (121.9 x 792.5 x 1.3 cm)

Robert Grosvenor Subdivision D, 2000 unique photocopy 11 x 8 1/2 in. (28 x 21.7 cm) frame: 12 x 9 5/8 in. (30 x 24.3 cm)

Robert Grosvenor
Subdivision D, 2000
unique photocopy
11 x 8 1/2 in. (28 x 21.7 cm)
frame: 12 x 9 5/8 in. (30 x 24.3 cm)

Robert Grosvenor Untitled, 2011 aluminum, fiberglass, plastic, concrete blocks, spray paint element #1 (table) 56 x 92 x 165 1/2 in. (142.2 x 233.7 x 420.4 cm), element #2 46 1/2 x 58 x 243 1/2 in. (118.1 x 147.3 x 618.5 cm), overall: 56 x 239 x 243 1/2 in. (142.2 x 607.1 x 618.5 cm)

Robert Grosvenor
Untitled, 2011
aluminum, fiberglass, plastic, concrete blocks, spray paint
element #1 (table) 56 x 92 x 165 1/2 in. (142.2 x 233.7 x 420.4 cm), element #2 46 1/2 x 58 x 243 1/2 in. (118.1 x 147.3 x 618.5 cm), overall: 56 x 239 x 243 1/2 in. (142.2 x 607.1 x 618.5 cm)

Robert Grosvenor Untitled, 1999 fossil rock, sheet metal, plastic and acrylic enamel paint rock pile left - 34 1/4 x 36 x 34 1/2” (85.6 x 90 x 86.2 cm), rock pile right - 34 1/4 x 35 1/2 x 36” (85.6 x 88.7 x 90 cm), platform - 5 3/4 x 176 x 89” (14.3 x 440 x 222.5 cm), two plastic elements - 24 1/2 x 24 1/2 x 93” (61.2 x 61.2 x 232.5 cm), each overall - 34 1/4 ” x 31’10” x 28’6” (85.6 cm x 9.5 m x 8.5 m)

Robert Grosvenor
Untitled, 1999
fossil rock, sheet metal, plastic and acrylic enamel paint
rock pile left - 34 1/4 x 36 x 34 1/2” (85.6 x 90 x 86.2 cm), rock pile right - 34 1/4 x 35 1/2 x 36” (85.6 x 88.7 x 90 cm), platform - 5 3/4 x 176 x 89” (14.3 x 440 x 222.5 cm), two plastic elements - 24 1/2 x 24 1/2 x 93” (61.2 x 61.2 x 232.5 cm), each overall - 34 1/4 ” x 31’10” x 28’6” (85.6 cm x 9.5 m x 8.5 m)

Robert Grosvenor Untitled, 1997 stone, concrete, steel, glass, 4’5” x 30’9 1/2” x 8’4” (1.35 x 9.38 x 2.54 m) overall

Robert Grosvenor
Untitled, 1997
stone, concrete, steel, glass, 4’5” x 30’9 1/2” x 8’4” (1.35 x 9.38 x 2.54 m) overall

Robert Grosvenor Untitled, 2009 fiberglass, flocking and aluminum composed of two units: red unit: 48 x 48 x 192 in. (121.9 x 121.9 x 487.7 cm), aluminum unit: 48 x 312 x 1/2 in. (121.9 x 792.5 x 1.3 cm)

Robert Grosvenor
Untitled, 2009
fiberglass, flocking and aluminum
composed of two units: red unit: 48 x 48 x 192 in. (121.9 x 121.9 x 487.7 cm), aluminum unit: 48 x 312 x 1/2 in. (121.9 x 792.5 x 1.3 cm)

Robert Grosvenor Untitled, 1987-88 steel, plastic, 75 x 96 x 245 inches 190.5 x 243.8 x 622.3 cm

Robert Grosvenor
Untitled, 1987-88
steel, plastic, 75 x 96 x 245 inches 190.5 x 243.8 x 622.3 cm

Robert Grosvenor Untitled, 1980-81 pine, creosote, paint, 67 x 133 x 74 inches (170.2 x 337.8 x 188 cm)

Robert Grosvenor
Untitled, 1980-81
pine, creosote, paint, 67 x 133 x 74 inches (170.2 x 337.8 x 188 cm)

Robert Grosvenor Untitled, 1994 fiberglass, metal, plastic, and paint 38 x 167 in. diameter (96.5 x 424.2 cm diameter)

Robert Grosvenor
Untitled, 1994
fiberglass, metal, plastic, and paint
38 x 167 in. diameter (96.5 x 424.2 cm diameter)

Robert Grosvenor Untitled, 1974 masking tape, pencil on paper 39 1/8 x 62 inches (99.4 x 157.5 cm)

Robert Grosvenor
Untitled, 1974
masking tape, pencil on paper
39 1/8 x 62 inches (99.4 x 157.5 cm)

Robert Grosvenor Untitled, 1975 wood, creosote, grease 8 x 102 x 9 inches (20.3 x 259.1 x 22.9 cm)

Robert Grosvenor
Untitled, 1975
wood, creosote, grease
8 x 102 x 9 inches (20.3 x 259.1 x 22.9 cm)

Video

Robert Grosvenor introduces the way in which his sculpture, "Untitled," 2009, was installed in the 2010 Whitney Biennial.

Robert Grosvenor’s discusses his exhibition at Paula Cooper Gallery with his longtime gallerist Paula Cooper. 

Art Omi Curatorial Assistant Kelsey Sloane discusses Robert Grosvenor's large scale sculptures in Curatorial Conversations: Modernist Metal