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Mark di Suvero

Biography

Born in China to Italian parents, Mark di Suvero (b. 1933, Shanghai) immigrated to the U.S. as a child aged eight. An internationally renowned artist and pioneer in the use of steel, di Suvero has created vibrant and dynamic works of sculpture and painting throughout his sixty-year career, fusing vitality and movement with complex construction. His work has been shown consistently in galleries and museums worldwide including exhibitions of outdoor sculpture in the Netherlands, Germany, France, Italy, Spain and a number of cities in the United States. In 2023, the Nasher Sculpture Center in Dallas opened a major exhibition of di Suvero's work. Public citywide shows have taken place in Paris, France; Venice, Italy; and New York City. Permanent installations of di Suvero’s sculpture are in Baltimore, Dallas, Grand Rapids, Houston, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, St. Louis, San Francisco, South Bend, and Toledo. In New York, di Suvero’s work is in the permanent collections of the Museum of Modern Art, the Whitney Museum, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Storm King Art Center (Mountainville, NY). Di Suvero founded Socrates Sculpture Park in Queens, New York, in 1985. It became a public city park in 1998.

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Selected Works

Selected Works Thumbnails
Mark di Suvero Sprung Free, 2020 steel, stainless steel 9 ft 5 in. x 9 ft 8 in. x 7 ft 2 in. (287 x 294.6 x 218.4 cm)

Mark di Suvero
Sprung Free, 2020
steel, stainless steel
9 ft 5 in. x 9 ft 8 in. x 7 ft 2 in. (287 x 294.6 x 218.4 cm)

Mark di Suvero Hugs, 2011 steel, urethane paint 51 ft x 32 ft x 20 ft 4 in. (1554.5 x 975.4 x 619.8 cm)
Mark di Suvero Hugs, 2011 steel, urethane paint 51 ft x 32 ft x 20 ft 4 in. (1554.5 x 975.4 x 619.8 cm)  
Mark di Suvero Hugs, 2011 steel, urethane paint 51 ft x 32 ft x 20 ft 4 in. (1554.5 x 975.4 x 619.8 cm)

Mark di Suvero
Hugs, 2011
steel, urethane paint
51 ft x 32 ft x 20 ft 4 in. (1554.5 x 975.4 x 619.8 cm)

 

Mark di Suvero Magma, 2008 steel 25 ft x 48 ft x 22 ft 5 inches (7.62 x 14.63 x 6.83 meters)
Mark di Suvero Magma, 2008 steel 25 ft x 48 ft x 22 ft 5 inches (7.62 x 14.63 x 6.83 meters)
Mark di Suvero Magma, 2008 steel 25 ft x 48 ft x 22 ft 5 inches (7.62 x 14.63 x 6.83 meters)

Mark di Suvero
Magma, 2008
steel
25 ft x 48 ft x 22 ft 5 inches (7.62 x 14.63 x 6.83 meters)

Mark di Suvero Ulalu, 2001 stainless steel, painted steel 26' 7" h x 30' w x 15' d (8 x 9 x 4.5 m)
Mark di Suvero Ulalu, 2001 stainless steel, painted steel 26' 7" h x 30' w x 15' d (8 x 9 x 4.5 m)
Mark di Suvero Ulalu, 2001 stainless steel, painted steel 26' 7" h x 30' w x 15' d (8 x 9 x 4.5 m)
Mark di Suvero Ulalu, 2001 stainless steel, painted steel 26' 7" h x 30' w x 15' d (8 x 9 x 4.5 m)
Mark di Suvero Ulalu, 2001 stainless steel, painted steel 26' 7" h x 30' w x 15' d (8 x 9 x 4.5 m)

Mark di Suvero
Ulalu, 2001
stainless steel, painted steel
26' 7" h x 30' w x 15' d (8 x 9 x 4.5 m)

Mark di Suvero Nelly, 1986 steel 12 ft 6 in x 18 ft 6 in x 16 ft 10-1/2 in (3.81m x 5.64m x 5.14m)

Mark di Suvero
Nelly, 1986
steel
12 ft 6 in x 18 ft 6 in x 16 ft 10-1/2 in (3.81m x 5.64m x 5.14m)

 

Mark di Suvero Figolu, 2005-2011 painted steel, steel buoys 47 ft 1 in x 55 ft x 23 ft (1435.1 x 1676.4 x 701 cm)
Mark di Suvero Figolu, 2005-2011 painted steel, steel buoys 47 ft 1 in x 55 ft x 23 ft  (1435.1 x 1676.4 x 701 cm)
Mark di Suvero Figolu, 2005-2011 painted steel, steel buoys 47 ft 1 in x 55 ft x 23 ft (1435.1 x 1676.4 x 701 cm)

Mark di Suvero
Figolu, 2005-2011
painted steel, steel buoys
47 ft 1 in x 55 ft x 23 ft  (1435.1 x 1676.4 x 701 cm)

Mark di Suvero Szymborska, 2013-16 steel 124 x 271 x 100 in. (315 x 688.3 x 254 cm)
Mark di Suvero Szymborska, 2013-16 steel 124 x 271 x 100 in. (315 x 688.3 x 254 cm)
Mark di Suvero Szymborska, 2013-16 steel 124 x 271 x 100 in. (315 x 688.3 x 254 cm)

Mark di Suvero
Szymborska, 2013-16
steel
124 x 271 x 100 in. (315 x 688.3 x 254 cm)

Mark di Suvero Paintbrush, 2016-17 Painted steel 20 ft 2 in. x 19 ft x 12 ft (614.7 x 579.1 x 365.8 cm)

Mark di Suvero
Paintbrush, 2016-17
Painted steel
20 ft 2 in. x 19 ft x 12 ft (614.7 x 579.1 x 365.8 cm)

Mark di Suvero Heart of the Tetrahedron, 1987 steel 8 ft 4 in. x 10 ft x 8 ft 7 in. (254 x 304.8 x 261.6 cm)

Mark di Suvero
Heart of the Tetrahedron, 1987
steel
8 ft 4 in. x 10 ft x 8 ft 7 in. (254 x 304.8 x 261.6 cm)

 

Mark di Suvero Neruda's Gate, 2005 painted steel 26' 9" x 25' x 8' (815.5 x 762 x244 cm)

Mark di Suvero
Neruda's Gate, 2005
painted steel
26' 9" x 25' x 8' (815.5 x 762 x244 cm)

Mark di Suvero The Cave, 2015 Steel, painted steel truss from The Highline 157 1/2 x 172 x 132 in. (400.1 x 436.9 x 335.3 cm)

Mark di Suvero
The Cave, 2015
Steel, painted steel truss from The Highline
157 1/2 x 172 x 132 in. (400.1 x 436.9 x 335.3 cm)

 

Mark di Suvero St. John the Baptist, 1961 steel and painted steel 40 x 52 x 40 in. (101.6 x 132.1 x 101.6 cm)

Mark di Suvero
St. John the Baptist, 1961
steel and painted steel
40 x 52 x 40 in. (101.6 x 132.1 x 101.6 cm)

Mark di Suvero Untitled, 1965 welded steel, stainless steel on steel base 21 x 30 x 20 in. (53.3 x 76.2 x 50.8 cm)

Mark di Suvero
Untitled, 1965
welded steel, stainless steel on steel base
21 x 30 x 20 in. (53.3 x 76.2 x 50.8 cm)

Mark di Suvero Departure 2001, 1964 steel & wood 35 7/8 x 48 7/8 x 43 in. (91 x 124 x 109 cm)

Mark di Suvero
Departure 2001, 1964
steel & wood
35 7/8 x 48 7/8 x 43 in. (91 x 124 x 109 cm)

Mark di Suvero Unchained, 1969 welded steel, two elements overall: 17 1/2 x 17 x 12 3/4 in. (44.4 x 43.1 x 32.4 cm) top: 6 1/2 x 15 x 12 in. (16.5 x 38.1 x 30.4 cm) bottom: 11 x 17 x 12 3/4 in. (27.9 x 43.1 x 32.4 cm)

Mark di Suvero
Unchained, 1969
welded steel, two elements
overall: 17 1/2 x 17 x 12 3/4 in. (44.4 x 43.1 x 32.4 cm)
top: 6 1/2 x 15 x 12 in. (16.5 x 38.1 x 30.4 cm)
bottom: 11 x 17 x 12 3/4 in. (27.9 x 43.1 x 32.4 cm)

 

Mark di Suvero The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, 2018 stainless steel 70 1/2 x 80 x 53 in. (179.1 x 203.2 x 134.6 cm)

Mark di Suvero
The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, 2018
stainless steel
70 1/2 x 80  x 53 in. (179.1 x 203.2 x 134.6 cm)

 

Mark di Suvero Buckaroo, 2014 steel and magnetic steel 11 3/4 x 11 x 8 in. (29.8 x 27.9 x 20.3 cm)

Mark di Suvero
Buckaroo, 2014
steel and magnetic steel
11 3/4 x 11 x 8 in. (29.8 x 27.9 x 20.3 cm)

Mark di Suvero Ergo, 2016 acrylic and phosphorescent paint on linen 65 x 105 x 2 1/2 in. (165.1 x 266.7 x 6.4 cm) frame: 74 x 114 x 9 in. (188 x 289.6 x 22.9 cm)
Mark di Suvero Ergo, 2016 acrylic and phosphorescent paint on linen 65 x 105 x 2 1/2 in. (165.1 x 266.7 x 6.4 cm) frame: 74 x 114 x 9 in. (188 x 289.6 x 22.9 cm)  
Mark di Suvero Ergo, 2016 acrylic and phosphorescent paint on linen 65 x 105 x 2 1/2 in. (165.1 x 266.7 x 6.4 cm) frame: 74 x 114 x 9 in. (188 x 289.6 x 22.9 cm)  
Mark di Suvero Ergo, 2016 acrylic and phosphorescent paint on linen 65 x 105 x 2 1/2 in. (165.1 x 266.7 x 6.4 cm) frame: 74 x 114 x 9 in. (188 x 289.6 x 22.9 cm)

Mark di Suvero
Ergo, 2016
acrylic and phosphorescent paint on linen
65 x 105 x 2 1/2 in. (165.1 x 266.7 x 6.4 cm)
frame: 74 x 114 x 9 in. (188 x 289.6 x 22.9 cm)

 

Mark di Suvero Sprung Free, 2020 steel, stainless steel 9 ft 5 in. x 9 ft 8 in. x 7 ft 2 in. (287 x 294.6 x 218.4 cm)

Mark di Suvero
Sprung Free, 2020
steel, stainless steel
9 ft 5 in. x 9 ft 8 in. x 7 ft 2 in. (287 x 294.6 x 218.4 cm)

Mark di Suvero Hugs, 2011 steel, urethane paint 51 ft x 32 ft x 20 ft 4 in. (1554.5 x 975.4 x 619.8 cm)

Mark di Suvero
Hugs, 2011
steel, urethane paint
51 ft x 32 ft x 20 ft 4 in. (1554.5 x 975.4 x 619.8 cm)

 

Mark di Suvero Magma, 2008 steel 25 ft x 48 ft x 22 ft 5 inches (7.62 x 14.63 x 6.83 meters)

Mark di Suvero
Magma, 2008
steel
25 ft x 48 ft x 22 ft 5 inches (7.62 x 14.63 x 6.83 meters)

Mark di Suvero Ulalu, 2001 stainless steel, painted steel 26' 7" h x 30' w x 15' d (8 x 9 x 4.5 m)

Mark di Suvero
Ulalu, 2001
stainless steel, painted steel
26' 7" h x 30' w x 15' d (8 x 9 x 4.5 m)

Mark di Suvero Nelly, 1986 steel 12 ft 6 in x 18 ft 6 in x 16 ft 10-1/2 in (3.81m x 5.64m x 5.14m)

Mark di Suvero
Nelly, 1986
steel
12 ft 6 in x 18 ft 6 in x 16 ft 10-1/2 in (3.81m x 5.64m x 5.14m)

 

Mark di Suvero Figolu, 2005-2011 painted steel, steel buoys 47 ft 1 in x 55 ft x 23 ft (1435.1 x 1676.4 x 701 cm)

Mark di Suvero
Figolu, 2005-2011
painted steel, steel buoys
47 ft 1 in x 55 ft x 23 ft  (1435.1 x 1676.4 x 701 cm)

Mark di Suvero Szymborska, 2013-16 steel 124 x 271 x 100 in. (315 x 688.3 x 254 cm)

Mark di Suvero
Szymborska, 2013-16
steel
124 x 271 x 100 in. (315 x 688.3 x 254 cm)

Mark di Suvero Paintbrush, 2016-17 Painted steel 20 ft 2 in. x 19 ft x 12 ft (614.7 x 579.1 x 365.8 cm)

Mark di Suvero
Paintbrush, 2016-17
Painted steel
20 ft 2 in. x 19 ft x 12 ft (614.7 x 579.1 x 365.8 cm)

Mark di Suvero Heart of the Tetrahedron, 1987 steel 8 ft 4 in. x 10 ft x 8 ft 7 in. (254 x 304.8 x 261.6 cm)

Mark di Suvero
Heart of the Tetrahedron, 1987
steel
8 ft 4 in. x 10 ft x 8 ft 7 in. (254 x 304.8 x 261.6 cm)

 

Mark di Suvero Neruda's Gate, 2005 painted steel 26' 9" x 25' x 8' (815.5 x 762 x244 cm)

Mark di Suvero
Neruda's Gate, 2005
painted steel
26' 9" x 25' x 8' (815.5 x 762 x244 cm)

Mark di Suvero The Cave, 2015 Steel, painted steel truss from The Highline 157 1/2 x 172 x 132 in. (400.1 x 436.9 x 335.3 cm)

Mark di Suvero
The Cave, 2015
Steel, painted steel truss from The Highline
157 1/2 x 172 x 132 in. (400.1 x 436.9 x 335.3 cm)

 

Mark di Suvero St. John the Baptist, 1961 steel and painted steel 40 x 52 x 40 in. (101.6 x 132.1 x 101.6 cm)

Mark di Suvero
St. John the Baptist, 1961
steel and painted steel
40 x 52 x 40 in. (101.6 x 132.1 x 101.6 cm)

Mark di Suvero Untitled, 1965 welded steel, stainless steel on steel base 21 x 30 x 20 in. (53.3 x 76.2 x 50.8 cm)

Mark di Suvero
Untitled, 1965
welded steel, stainless steel on steel base
21 x 30 x 20 in. (53.3 x 76.2 x 50.8 cm)

Mark di Suvero Departure 2001, 1964 steel & wood 35 7/8 x 48 7/8 x 43 in. (91 x 124 x 109 cm)

Mark di Suvero
Departure 2001, 1964
steel & wood
35 7/8 x 48 7/8 x 43 in. (91 x 124 x 109 cm)

Mark di Suvero Unchained, 1969 welded steel, two elements overall: 17 1/2 x 17 x 12 3/4 in. (44.4 x 43.1 x 32.4 cm) top: 6 1/2 x 15 x 12 in. (16.5 x 38.1 x 30.4 cm) bottom: 11 x 17 x 12 3/4 in. (27.9 x 43.1 x 32.4 cm)

Mark di Suvero
Unchained, 1969
welded steel, two elements
overall: 17 1/2 x 17 x 12 3/4 in. (44.4 x 43.1 x 32.4 cm)
top: 6 1/2 x 15 x 12 in. (16.5 x 38.1 x 30.4 cm)
bottom: 11 x 17 x 12 3/4 in. (27.9 x 43.1 x 32.4 cm)

 

Mark di Suvero The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, 2018 stainless steel 70 1/2 x 80 x 53 in. (179.1 x 203.2 x 134.6 cm)

Mark di Suvero
The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, 2018
stainless steel
70 1/2 x 80  x 53 in. (179.1 x 203.2 x 134.6 cm)

 

Mark di Suvero Buckaroo, 2014 steel and magnetic steel 11 3/4 x 11 x 8 in. (29.8 x 27.9 x 20.3 cm)

Mark di Suvero
Buckaroo, 2014
steel and magnetic steel
11 3/4 x 11 x 8 in. (29.8 x 27.9 x 20.3 cm)

Mark di Suvero Ergo, 2016 acrylic and phosphorescent paint on linen 65 x 105 x 2 1/2 in. (165.1 x 266.7 x 6.4 cm) frame: 74 x 114 x 9 in. (188 x 289.6 x 22.9 cm)

Mark di Suvero
Ergo, 2016
acrylic and phosphorescent paint on linen
65 x 105 x 2 1/2 in. (165.1 x 266.7 x 6.4 cm)
frame: 74 x 114 x 9 in. (188 x 289.6 x 22.9 cm)