• ANGELO GRANATA (1922-2009)

    ANGELO GRANATA: WHO'S AFRAID OF THE CIRCLE, SQUARE OR TRIANGLE

    January 10 - March 21, 2025

Cover page of a 1959 publication by MoMA New York with the text reading "RECENT SCULPTURE USA" on a gray background.

Granata's work was included in the groundbreaking 1959 traveling exhibition Recent Sculpture U.S.A. at the Museum of Modern Art, MoMA, New York, alongside Ruth Asawa, Alexander Calder, John Chamberlain, Jacques Lipchitz, Larry Rivers, David Smith, ... many of whom instrumental in rewriting American post-war Art History.

Over the course of his 60 year long artistic career, his work work was included in exhibitions at Museum of Modern Art, New York City; Forum Gallery, New York City; the Boston Museum of Art; the Los Angeles Museum of Art ; the Denver Museum of Art; the St Louis Museum of Art; the Birmingham Museum of Art; the Delgado Museum of Art (now the New Orleans Museum of Art); the Wichita Museum of Art in Wichita, KS; the Des Moines Museum of Art in Des Moines, IA; the Ringling Museum of Art, Sarasota, FL; the Hunter Museum of Art, Chattanooga, TN; the Mint Museum, Charlotte, NC; as well as at the Departamento de Arte Yucatán in Mèridia, Yucatán, Mexico; and the Centro Colombo Americano, Cali, Colombia.

Black and white photo showing Angelo Granata's sculpture titled Archform on a pedestal at the Museum of Modern Art MoMA, in New York in 1959 in the exhibition "RECENT SCULPTURE USA"

Granata’s 1957 cast iron sculpture Arch Form (on pedestal) shown in the 1959 MoMA New York exhibition Recent Sculpture USA.

Art gallery interior with abstract sculptures and paintings by Angelo Granata. Sculptures are placed on white pedestals, and colorful abstract paintings are mounted on the walls. The room has a modern, minimalist design.

installation view at Maus Contemporary, March 2025

Tall abstract wooden 1950s sculpture by Angelo Granata with geometric and organic shapes, featuring a textured surface and mounted on a square base.

Angelo Granata

Anodic Form

1956
sculpted wood
approx. 84 by 15 by 15 in. (ca. 213 by 38 by 38 cm)

private US collection

Modern abstract wooden 1950s sculpture by Angelo Granata on white background.
University of Alabama faculty, including Angelo Granata, posing with abstract art pieces in black and white photo

University of Alabama faculty, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, ca. 1960

Angelo Granata (front right) with his sculpture Heteros

Abstract metal sculpture titled HETEROS by Angelo Granata with geometric forms on a flat base

Angelo Granata

Heteros

1957
cast aluminum
approx. 17.75 by 12.5 by 5.5 in. (ca. 45,1 by 31,8 by 14 cm)

private US collection

Abstract metal sculpture titled HETEROS by Angelo Granata in gray tones, featuring irregular and jagged forms with a vertical orientation and textured surface.
Abstract metal sculpture titled HETEROS by Angelo Granata with intricate geometric forms and a textured surface against a plain background.
Traditional wooden carved sculpture by Angelo Granata

Angelo Granata

untitled

1958
sculpted wood
approx. 3.25 by 12.75 by 6.5 in. incl. original wooden base (ca. 8,3 by 32,4 by 16,5 cm incl. wooden base)

Abstract vertical sculpture by Angelo Granata composed of a textured, light-colored upper section and a smooth, dark gray lower section, standing on a square base against a plain background.

Angelo Granata

Sematos

1960
hand-built white clay, sculpted wood, original wooden base
base incl. approx. 33 by 10 by 10 in. (ca. 84 by 25 by 25 cm)

private US collection

Abstract sculpture by Angelo Granata with textured white and gray vertical forms on a rectangular base
Abstract wooden sculpture by Angelo Granata with geometric shapes on a plain background.

Angelo Granata

Augos

1960
sculpted wood, metal
approx. 144 by 19 by 24 in. (ca. 365,8 by 48,3 by 61 cm)

Abstract wooden sculpture by Angelo Granata with geometric shapes and a vertical orientation against a white background.
A tall, abstract wooden sculpture by Angelo Granata with angular shapes and carvings, against a plain background.
Abstract clay sculpture by Angelo Granata on a square base
Abstract clay sculpture by Angelo Granata on a wooden base, with vertical and horizontal elements, resembling a stylized figure.

Angelo Granata

untitled

1958
hand-built clay, original wooden base
approx. 16.5 by 5 by 4 in. (ca. 41,9 by 12,5 by 10 cm)

private US collection

Tall, abstract wooden sculpture by Angelo Granata with rectangular cutouts on a square base.
Tall wooden sculpture by Angelo Granata with geometric cutouts on a simple base, minimalist design against a plain background.

Angelo Granata

untitled

1958
sculpted soft-wood, original wooden base
approx. 19.5 by 5 by 4 in. (ca. 49,5 by 12,5 by 10 cm)

Abstract metal sculpture by Angelo Granata with rectangular plate and vertical elements
Abstract metal sculpture by Angelo Granata with geometric shapes and textured surface, featuring a vertical column and a small horizontal block at the top.
Close-up of a modern minimalist iron sculpture by Angelo Granata resembling a capital "I" with intricate patterns.
Tall vertical industrial steel sculpture by Angelo Granata with a square base against a plain background.
Tall metal sculpture by Angelo Granata resembling a steel beam on a base, minimalist design, industrial style.

Angelo Granata

Silens

1958
welded and etched steel
approx. 11 by 12 by 13 in. (ca. 206 by 30,5 by 33 cm)

Abstract modern sculpted wood sculpture by Angelo Granata with geometric design on a square base

Angelo Granata

untitled

1961
sculpted ebony, original brass base
approx. 7.5 by 2 by 2 in. (ca. 19 by 5 by 5 cm)

private US collection

Abstract metal sculpture by Angelo Granata on wooden base

Angelo Granata

untitled

1961
cast aluminum, wood
approx. 13.5 by 14 by 4.75 in. (ca. 34,3 by 35,6 by 14,6 cm)

on hold for a US institution

Abstract metal sculpture by Angelo Granata with irregular, porous shapes on a wooden base, resembling natural formations or coral-like structures.
Abstract cast aluminum sculpture by Angelo Granata with geometric forms on a hexagonal base

Angelo Granata

untitled

1963
cast aluminum
approx. 4.5 by 9 by 5.6 in. (ca. 11,4 by 23 by 14,2 cm)

Abstract metal sculpture by Angelo Granata with geometric shapes and circular cutouts, mounted on a wooden base.

Angelo Granata

untitled

1965
cast and machined aluminum
approx. 24.75 by 11 by 10.5 in. (ca. 63 by 28 by 26,7 cm)

private US collection

Abstract metal sculpture by Angelo Granata on a wooden base, featuring geometric shapes and a circular opening in the center.
Abstract cast bronze sculpture by Angelo Granata resembling a half-circle with textured surface on a pedestal

Angelo Granata

Prora

1960’s
bronze
approx. 7.3 by 12 by 2.25 in. (ca. 18,5 by 30,5 by 5,7 cm)

private US collection

Abstract metal sculpture by Angelo Granata with two vertical slabs and central support on a flat base against a neutral background.

Angelo Granata

untitled

ca. 1965
cast and machined aluminum
approx. 11 by 11.75 by 10 in. (ca. 28 by 30 by 25,4 cm)

Abstract metal sculpture by Angelo Granata with two overlapping tilted square plates on a square base.

Angelo Granata

untitled

1960’s
metal
approx. 18 by 11 by 9.25 in. (ca. 46 by 28 by 23,5 cm)

Abstract metal sculpture by Angelo Granata with circular split disc

Angelo Granata

untitled

1965
cast aluminum, original wooden base
approx. 13 by 9 by 9 in. (ca. 33 by 23 by 23 cm)

on hold for a US institution

Abstract geometric acrylic sculpture by Angelo Granata with vertical slit and circular hole, made of translucent material, on display stand.

Angelo Granata

untitled

1970’s
cast acrylic
approx. 10.25 by 3.75 by 1.6 in. (ca. 26 by 9,5 by 4 cm)

private US collection

Abstract painting by Angelo Granata with a red circle, blue square, and yellow triangle in stacked arrangement on a white background.

Angelo Granata

Who’s Afraid Of The Circle, Square Or Triangle

1970’s
ink on paper
approx. 60 by 40 in. (ca. 152,4 by 101.6 cm)

private US collection

Abstract metal sculpture by Angelo Granata with geometric shapes and spherical elements on a white background.

Angelo Granata

untitled

1990’s
metal
approx. 9.2 by 26 by 9.5 in. (ca. 23,4 by 66 by 24,1 cm)

private US collection

Abstract metal sculpture by Angelo Granata with geometric shapes and spherical elements
Abstract geometric aluminum sculpture by Angelo Granata on a dark base, featuring angular and curved shapes, against a neutral background.

Angelo Granata

Triad

1990’s
aluminum
approx. 25 by 21.25 by 9.5 in. (ca. 63,5 by 54 by 24,1 cm)

private US collection

  • untitled

    1956
    ink on paper
    approx. 22 by 14.75 in. (ca. 55,9 by 37,5 cm)

  • untitled


    ca. 1956
    ink on paper
    approx. 30 by 22.25 in. (ca. 76,2 by 56,5 cm)

    permanent collection of the University of Alabama’s Sarah Moody Gallery of Art, Tuscaloosa, Alabama

  • untitled

    1968
    ink on paper
    approx. 29.5 by 22.25 in. (ca. 74,9 by 56,5 cm)

  • untitled

    ca. 1970
    ink on paper
    approx. 30.25 by 22.5 in. (ca. 76,8 by 57,2 cm)

  • untitled

    ca. 1970
    ink on paper
    approx. 30 by 22.5 in. (ca. 76,2 by 57,2 cm)

  • untitled

    ca. 1970
    ink on paper
    approx. 30 by 22.5 in. (ca. 76,2 by 57,2 cm)

  • untitled

    ca. 1970
    ink on paper
    approx. 30.25 by 22.5 in. (ca. 76,8 by 57,2 cm)

  • untitled

    ca. 1970
    ink on paper
    approx. 30.25 by 22.25 in. (ca. 76,2 by 56,5 cm)

  • untitled

    1971
    ink on paper
    approx. 29 by 21 in. (ca. 73,7 by 53,3 cm)

    permanent collection of the University of Alabama’s Sarah Moody Gallery of Art, Tuscaloosa, Alabama

  • untitled

    1971
    ink on paper
    approx. 30 by 22.5 in. (ca. 76,2 by 57,2 cm)

  • untitled

    1972
    ink on paper
    approx. 29 by 21 in. (ca. 73,7 by 53,3 cm)

  • untitled

    ca. 1980
    ink on paper
    approx. 30.25 by 22.5 in. (ca. 76,8 by 57,2 cm)

  • untitled

    1952
    ink on paper
    approx. 13.75 by 20.5 in. (ca. 34,9 by 52,1 cm)

  • untitled

    1959
    ink on paper
    approx. 22.25 by 30 in. (ca. 56,5 by 76,2 cm)

  • untitled

    1959
    ink on paper
    approx. 22.5 by 30 in. (ca. 57,2 by 76,2 cm)

    on hold for a US institution

  • untitled

    ca. 1960
    ink on paper
    approx. 15 by 20 in. (ca. 38,1 by 50,8 cm)

  • untitled

    ca. 1960
    ink on paper
    approx. 15 by 20 in. (ca. 38,1 by 50,8 cm)

    private US collection

  • untitled

    ca. 1960
    ink on paper
    approx. 8.75 by 11.25 in. (ca. 22,2 by 28,6 cm)

  • untitled

    ca. 1970
    ink on paper
    approx. 22.25 by 30 in. (ca. 56,5 by 76,2 cm)

  • untitled

    ca. 1970
    ink on paper
    approx. 22.25 by 30 in. (ca. 56,5 by 76,2 cm)

  • untitled

    ca. 1970
    ink on paper
    approx. 22.25 by 30 in. (ca. 56,5 by 76,2 cm)

  • untitled

    1973
    ink on paper
    approx. 22.25 by 29.75 in. (ca. 56,5 by 75,6 cm)

  • untitled

    mid-1970s
    ink on paper
    approx. 22.25 by 30 in. (ca. 56,5 by 76,2 cm)

  • untitled

    mid-1970s
    ink on paper
    approx. 22.5 by 30 in. (ca. 57,2 by 76,2 cm)

    private US collection

Abstract artwork by Angelo Granata with purple, orange, and red rectangular shapes stacked in layers.

Angelo Granata was born in Hoboken, New Jersey in 1922 and was the son of Italian immigrants Ettore and Secondina Granata. His father was a self-employed tile mason, which likely influenced his desire to become a sculptor, receiving a BA (1947) and MFA (1948) in studio sculpture from the University of Iowa where he also studied architecture and art history. Granata had been at the University of Iowa for three years prior to enlisting in the US Navy, attending midshipman school at Duke University and serving in the Pacific.

Upon returning to Iowa after the war to complete his studies, he met Clara Louise Woods, who he would marry in 1948 before coming to The University of Alabama in 1949 as one of the founding faculty members of the art department. He was professor of sculpture until his retirement in 1988. His work is included in the permanent collections of The University of Alabama; The University of Iowa; Grinnell College, IA; Cornell College, IA; Georgetown College, KY; and the Davenport Municipal Museum in Iowa.