Akeroyd Collection

Artists

Bruce Nauman

b.1941 Indiana, USA; lives and works New Mexico, USA.

Bruce Nauman is one of the most influential contemporary artists of the last six decades, renowned for his experimental approach to sculpture, video, performance, drawing, sound, and installation. In the 1960’s, he emerged as a key figure in the post-minimal and conceptual art movements, developing a practice grounded in process, repetition, chance, and the body. Throughout his career, Nauman has continually challenged conventional definitions of artistic media, producing works that range from neon text pieces and immersive installations to performances and films that explore language, perception, and human behaviour. Since relocating to New Mexico in 1979, his studio has remained a site of sustained experimentation, where physical actions and everyday gestures become the basis for artistic inquiry. His work continues to shape contemporary understandings of conceptual and performance-based art.

Recent solo exhibitions include No Mistakes, Okey Dokey Konrad Fischer, New York (2026); Bruce Nauman: Identical, Nasher Sculpture Center, Dallas (2026–27); Bruce Nauman: Pasadena Years, Marian Goodman Gallery, Los Angeles (2025); Bruce Nauman: Begin Again, Sperone Westwater, New York (2024–25); Bruce Nauman, Tai Kwun Contemporary, Hong Kong (2024); Bruce Nauman: Practice, Konrad Fischer Galerie, Berlin and Düsseldorf (2022–23); Bruce Nauman: Contrapposto Studies, Punta della Dogana, Venice (2021–22); Bruce Nauman, Tate Modern, London, Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam, M Woods, Beijing, and Pirelli HangarBicocca, Milan (2020–23); Bruce Nauman: Disappearing Acts, Schaulager, Basel; The Museum of Modern Art, New York; and MoMA PS1, New York (2018–19); ARTIST ROOMS: Bruce Nauman, Tate Modern, London (2017–18); Bruce Nauman: Contrapposto Studies, I through VII, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia (2016–17); Bruce Nauman, Fondation Cartier pour l’art contemporain, Paris (2015); and Bruce Nauman’s Words on Paper, Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto (2014); Bruce Nauman: Topological Gardens, Venice Biennale, Venice (2009).

Recent group exhibitions include The Self Assessed, Galerie Max Hetzler, Berlin (2026); Seriously, Sprüth Magers, London (2025–26); Mapping the ’60s, MUMOK, Vienna (2025–26); The Body as Matter: Giacometti Nauman Picasso, Gagosian, London (2024); Dancing with Myself, Pinault Collection, Venice (2018); Delirious: Art at the Limits of Reason 1950–1980, The Met Breuer, New York (2017); Dizziness: Navigating the Unknown, Kunsthaus Graz and Centre for Contemporary Art Ujazdowski Castle, Warsaw (2017–18); Unfinished: Thoughts Left Visible, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York (2016); America Is Hard to See, Whitney Museum of American Art, New York (2015); 14 Rooms, Art Basel, Basel (2014); Prima Materia, Punta della Dogana, Venice (2013–14); Venice Biennale, Venice (1978, 1980, 1995, 1999, 2005 and 2007); and documenta, Kassel (1968, 1972, 1977, 1982 and 1992).

For further information about this artist please click here.

For Bruce Nauman's entry on Asia Art Archive's website please click here.

Exhibitions

Awards