Untitled

Untitled is an aluminum sculpture in the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden composed of rectangular forms in bold colors that rise upward into the space. The intersecting angular planes create a complex geometric composition that changes depending on where you stand around it.

The sculpture was created in 1989 by Joel Shapiro as a commission from the National Gallery of Art, marking a period when the city expanded its public art presence. This moment reflected a broader commitment to bringing contemporary art into civic spaces.

The work speaks to minimalist art through its use of simple geometric forms and industrial materials in a public garden setting. Visitors can walk around and experience how these abstract shapes interact with the surrounding trees and pathways.

The sculpture garden is accessible throughout the day and can be approached from multiple pathways around the property. Walking around the piece from different angles helps you appreciate how the forms shift and change their appearance.

The colored aluminum surfaces shift noticeably throughout the day as sunlight moves, making the sculpture feel like a living object. This constant visual transformation means the piece looks different with each visit or even each hour.