Typography as Art

Typography is one of the cornerstones of good graphic design. Selecting and manipulating typefaces is an art unto itself. Therefore it’s no surprise that classic typography regularly makes its way into famous paintings and sculptures.

Below are some inspirational images of typography used in the fine arts to help give you a fresh point of view on typographic possibilities in future projects. (All images are copyright of the artists.)

Sometimes I Think Sometimes I Don’t

This sculpture is called “Sometimes I Think Sometimes I Don’t”, by Stefan Bruggemmann. It’s made from black vinyl lettering and white neon.
Sometimes I Think Sometimes I Don’t →

Typographic Sculpture

How cool is this typographic sink sculpture? Looks like Times New Roman, doesn’t it? Exhibited by Richard J. Evans at the Free Range Graduate Art & Design Show.Typographic Sculpture →

Protect me from what I want

Artist Jenny Holzer is known for her classic projections, which now grace hipster’s T-shirts and tote bags. Here’s a photograph of Holzer’s “Protect me from what I want.”
Protect me from what I want →

Letter Cut

At first glance, this glass sculpture doesn’t even look like type. Created by Oskar Wrango and featured on Ilovetypography.com.
Letter Cut →

Void Stone

George Brecht‘s work is seen as a precursor to conceptual art. Here is Brecht’s “Void Stone”, which is most likely inspired by his fascination with Buddhism.
Void Stone →

One Hundred Live and Die

I’ve always loved Bruce Nauman‘s playful neon sculptures and how he uses type. Here’s one of his pieces called “One Hundred Live and Die.” Image via PBS.org’s Art in the 21st Century.
One Hundred Live and Die →

Avante Garde

Viewers can only decipher the words “Avante Garde” when viewing Damien Roach’s wood and steel sculpture head on. From all other angles, it looks like a strange jumble of wood. Image via design blog – This That These and Those.
Avante Garde →

Love

Here’s an image of the iconic “LOVE” sculpture by Robert Indiana. This is the original sculpture, housed at the Indianapolis Museum of Art. There are multiple casts of this piece in cities around the world. (Shout out to Philadelphia’s Love Park!) Image via Wikimedia commons.
Love →

Barbara Kruger

Barbara Kruger‘s work employs dramatic typography. This image is from a 1991 installation Kruger did at Mary Boone Gallery in New York.
Barbara Kruger →

Pot Dealer Small Talk

Barbara Kruger‘s work Artist Wayne White incorporates typographic sculptures into his landscape paintings. This one’s called “Pot Dealer Small Talk.” Image via Phillips de Peury & Company.
Pot Dealer Small Talk →

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