Robert Indiana, ART, 1972

Robert Indiana, ART, 1972
Polychrome aluminum, Collection Neuberger Museum of Art, Purchase College, SUNY, Museum purchase through a matching grant from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Friends of the Neuberger Museum of Art, 1976.27.01

Robert Indiana’s ART distills the essence of his practice: the fusion of language, form, and color into bold visual statements. In this work, the letter “A” serves as a structural base, supporting the “R” and “T” in a dynamic, architectural configuration. This design not only emphasizes the physicality of the word but also reflects Indiana’s early interest in architecture and his approach to constructing images with sculptural weight. The piece exemplifies Indiana’s signature use of hard-edge lines and vivid colors, transforming a simple word into a powerful, three-dimensional emblem of creative expression.

First conceived as a poster design for the 1970 exhibition American Art Since 1960 at the Princeton University Art Museum, ART evolved into a series of prints, paintings, and ultimately, sculpture—mirroring the trajectory of Indiana’s iconic LOVE series. By isolating the word “ART,” Indiana invites viewers to reconsider the term itself, turning it into both subject and object. The sculpture engages in a playful yet profound exploration of language, where meaning and form are inseparable. As with much of Indiana’s work, ART functions as both a visual icon and a conceptual inquiry, challenging viewers to reflect on the nature of art and its place in society.