Douglas Abdell, born in 1947, is an American metal sculptor. Abdell’s father was Lebanese and his mother was Italian. This heritage is an important factor that influenced two of the most prevalent themes in his work; language and landscape.
Abdell’s formal art education began at Syracuse University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Sculpture in 1970. Immediately after his graduation, he withdrew from the world to create his first major installation. The result was The Yads, a curious collection of three-legged structures made entirely from metal. This work was shown at the Graham Gallery in New York in 1972.
Following this, Abdell invented his language, inspired by being brought up in a multi-ethnic family. He wrote poems in this language to try and record his emotions and events that took place while sculpting. Over time, symbols that he used in his language were made into sculptures, blending his poetry and sculptures into one cohesive series.
This all informed the sculptures he made. They leaned heavily on the geometric forms he was so fascinated with and attempted to communicate that his poems couldn’t do in the English language.
Over time, his sculptures seem to lose movement and become a bit more static to the untrained eye. The most significant shift in his work, however, came in the 1980s when Abdell was living in New York City. He was greatly influenced by the graffiti and urban art movements in the city, so his work became a lot more colorful and expressive. A stark contrast to his mostly blackwork that came before.
Upon moving to Spain in the 1990s, his work went through another dramatic shift. The inspiration from the ancient Phoenician culture is obvious, and his work looks more like ancient artifacts as opposed to modern art. Abdell still lives in Spain today, where he continues to create grand sculptures around the themes of language and landscape.
1. Zypi-Aekyad
‘Zypi-Aekyad’ was created in 1977 by Douglas Abdell in an Abstract Art style.
2. Yad
‘Yad’ was created in 1972 by Douglas Abdell in an Abstract Art style.
3. Baqae-Kryad
‘Baqae-Kryad’ was created in 1975 by Douglas Abdell in an Abstract Art style.
4. Krefe-Aekyad
‘Krefe-Aekyad’ was created in 1980 by Douglas Abdell in an Abstract Art style.
5. Primitivo Santo 22
‘Primitivo Santo 22’ was created in 1983 by Douglas Abdell in Transavantgarde style.
6. Josef For Albert Cossery
‘Josef For Albert Cossery’ was created in 1983 by Douglas Abdell in Transavantgarde style.
7. Eville
‘Eville’ was made by Douglas Abdell in the year 1983 Transavantgarde style
8. Otto Osso
‘Otto Osso’ was created in 1984 by Douglas Abdell in Transavantgarde style.
9. Grand Vizer
‘Grand Vizer’ was created in 1984 by Douglas Abdell in Transavantgarde style.
10. The Intervalist’s Chair
‘The Intervalist’s Chair’ was created in 1986 by Douglas Abdell in Abstract Art style.