Mel Bochner (August 23, 1940 – February 12, 2025) was an American conceptual artist. He is considered to be one of the founders of Conceptual Art, and credited with reshaping the canon of contemporary art. Bochner's 1966 exhibition, “Working Drawings And Other Visible Things On Paper Not Necessarily Meant To Be Viewed As Art,” is cited as one of the first conceptual art exhibitions in the world.[2][4]

Early life and education

Bochner was born in Pittsburgh on August 23, 1940. His father, Meyer Bochner was a sign painter, and his mother, Minnie Horowitz, was a homemaker. He was raised with one brother and one sister.

At age 8, he starting taking art classes at Carnegie Museum. In high school, he won recognition for his t...