Szaja Gottlieb
ArtistUSA
About Artist:
Szaja Gottlieb was born in 1947 in Germany in a displaced persons Camp, the son of Polish Holocaust survivors. He graduated from Yeshiva University and earned an MA in European intellectual history at the University of Massachusetts (1971). Raised in Orthodox Judaism, which forbids sculpting the human form, he made no art until he was 30 and is largely self-taught. Religious themes run through his work, early and late: he is at once an icon maker and an icon breaker.
His work falls into four periods: Lyrical (1978-80), Abstract Geometric (1980-84), Artefactotem (1989-92) and Monopolylith (1992-95). His work is held in the collection of the Yeshiva University Museum and in private collections.
In the mid-1990s, after marrying and starting a family, he set sculpture aside. In 1998 a fire destroyed most of his stored work.
For the last 25 years he has practiced as a Certified Advanced Rolfer, his hands still at work on structure. Sacred Monster (1992-2026), the sole survivor of the Artefactotem period, marks his re-emergence as a sculptor. New work in progress is Irony (an homage to Marcel Duchamp).
About Artwork:
Begun in 1992 as Untouchable You, a stone that could not be touched, after the Kongo nkisi nkondi. Damaged in a 1995 move, it was the sole survivor of the 1998 fire that destroyed the artist's stored work. Completed in 2026 with many thousands of added nails, it passed from untouchability to survivorship. A monstre sacre is a figure of such stature that ordinary rules no longer apply.
Intended for indoor display, where enclosure creates visual power and presence. Indoors it will last for millennia; outdoors, for centuries.
Unique. A specialized hand truck, the Dutro Brute (rated 1,600 lbs), is included in the price and accompanies the piece for its lifetime. Crated freight at buyer's expense; local delivery can be arranged.
Weight 1200 lb
Not signed. There is no room for a signature on the surface. A certificate of authenticity, signed by the artist, accompanies the work.
Szaja Gottlieb
Sacred Monster
- 2001-present
- 27 x 56 x 14 inches
- Fine Art Category: sculptures
- Medium: Black Virginia soapstone and hand-rusted masonry nails
- Origin: USA
- Certificate of Authenticity: yes
- Issued by: the artist
- Provenance: From the studio of the artist
- Signed: Not signed
- Visit Website
- Price: $37,000.00 USD
- Seller: Szaja Gottlieb, USA
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- Artplode ID: 9604
- Artplode Seller ID: 26482
About Artist:
Szaja Gottlieb was born in 1947 in Germany in a displaced persons Camp, the son of Polish Holocaust survivors. He graduated from Yeshiva University and earned an MA in European intellectual history at the University of Massachusetts (1971). Raised in Orthodox Judaism, which forbids sculpting the human form, he made no art until he was 30 and is largely self-taught. Religious themes run through his work, early and late: he is at once an icon maker and an icon breaker.
His work falls into four periods: Lyrical (1978-80), Abstract Geometric (1980-84), Artefactotem (1989-92) and Monopolylith (1992-95). His work is held in the collection of the Yeshiva University Museum and in private collections.
In the mid-1990s, after marrying and starting a family, he set sculpture aside. In 1998 a fire destroyed most of his stored work.
For the last 25 years he has practiced as a Certified Advanced Rolfer, his hands still at work on structure. Sacred Monster (1992-2026), the sole survivor of the Artefactotem period, marks his re-emergence as a sculptor. New work in progress is Irony (an homage to Marcel Duchamp).
About Artwork:
Begun in 1992 as Untouchable You, a stone that could not be touched, after the Kongo nkisi nkondi. Damaged in a 1995 move, it was the sole survivor of the 1998 fire that destroyed the artist's stored work. Completed in 2026 with many thousands of added nails, it passed from untouchability to survivorship. A monstre sacre is a figure of such stature that ordinary rules no longer apply.
Intended for indoor display, where enclosure creates visual power and presence. Indoors it will last for millennia; outdoors, for centuries.
Unique. A specialized hand truck, the Dutro Brute (rated 1,600 lbs), is included in the price and accompanies the piece for its lifetime. Crated freight at buyer's expense; local delivery can be arranged.
Weight 1200 lb
Not signed. There is no room for a signature on the surface. A certificate of authenticity, signed by the artist, accompanies the work.
