Robert Indiana: Sculpture 1958-2018 – Yorkshire Sculpture Park, UK

YSP presents the first major European exhibition of sculpture, painting and prints by American artist Robert Indiana.

Robert Indiana: Sculpture 1958-2018 traces the development of sculpture across six decades. The exhibition explores the complex character of Indiana’s art practice. It considers his view of the darker side of the American dream. This was a time of vast social and political change. Unity, acceptance and love are themes that run throughout Indiana’s work. These remain relevant today for movements against racism and discrimination towards LGBTQIA+ communities.

Indiana’s iconic LOVE (Red Blue Green) (1966–1998) welcomes visitors at the entrance to YSP. It is usually shown in an urban context, but here it is set within the Yorkshire countryside. The artist first used the word ‘love’ in a painting in 1961. In 1964, he began a series of LOVE paintings which used the slanted ‘O’ within a square format. Indiana said that this was “the most dynamic way to use four letters”. The sculpture of LOVE was first made in 1966, using aluminium. The LOVE sculptures still hold a close relation to the two-dimensional letters.