
Seed
1968
Seed is a monumental black geometric sculpture created by Tony Smith in 1968, exemplifying his signature minimalist approach to form and industrial fabrication. The work presents an irregular polyhedral volume of painted steel, its flat matte black planes tilted and cantilevered in a way that generates dynamic tension between mass and weightlessness. Smith's exploration of modular geometry and spatial occupation is fully realized here, with the sculpture commanding the gallery floor without a pedestal, emphasizing its direct relationship to the viewer's physical space. This work was exhibited at Matthew Marks Gallery at 502 W 22nd Street, New York.
- Medium
- Painted steel
- Location
- Matthew Marks Gallery, New York, NY
Notes
Instagram post dated September 13, 2015 by @matthewmarksgallery. Post liked by phillipksmith3 and others (515 likes, 4 comments). Hashtags: #TonySmith #MatthewMarksGallery.
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Artists in conversation

Donald Judd
American · b. 1928

Judd created large scale geometric steel and metal structures with strict angular forms and minimalist sensibility that closely mirror Smith's monumental abstract sculptures. Both artists shared a commitment to industrial materials, precise geometric abstraction, and the relationship between form and surrounding space.
Ronald Bladen
American · b. 1918
Bladen produced monumental angular steel sculptures in black and dark tones that are among the closest parallels to Smith's work in terms of scale, geometry, and commanding physical presence. His large painted steel forms share the same architectural abstraction and imposing minimalist vocabulary found in Smith's iconic pieces.

Mark di Suvero
American · b. 1933

Di Suvero creates large scale public steel sculptures with bold angular structures that engage space in ways directly comparable to Smith's geometric monumental works. Both artists transformed industrial steel into commanding abstract forms intended for outdoor public environments.

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