Joel Shapiro is an American sculptor known for his abstract and minimalist works in bronze, wood, and other materials. He was born on September 27, 1941, in New York City, and studied at New York University, Columbia University, and the New York Studio School.
Shapiro first gained recognition in the 1970s for his large-scale wooden sculptures, which were often painted in bright, bold colors. He later began to work in bronze and other materials, creating abstract forms that often suggest the human figure or architectural elements. His work is characterized by a sense of balance and proportion, as well as a focus on geometric shapes and lines.
Over the course of his career, Shapiro has exhibited widely and his work is held in numerous public collections, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the Art Institute of Chicago, and the Tate Modern in London. He has received many honors and awards, including being elected a member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters in 1993.