Matter as matter rather than matter as symbol is a conscious political position, essentially Marxist.

His sculptures range from large public artworks (such as Stone Field Sculpture 1977 in Hartford CT and Lament for the Children 1976 in Long Island City NY) to more intimate tile patterns arranged on the floor of an exhibition space (such as 144 Lead Square 1969 or Twenty-fifth Steel Cardinal 1974). Andre's controversial "Lever" was included in the seminal 1966 show at the Jewish Museum in New York entitled Primary Structures. He elected to be tried before a judge with no jury.

His sculptures range from large public artworks (such as Stone Field Sculpture 1977 in Hartford CT and Lament for the Children 1976 in Long Island City NY) to more intimate tile patterns arranged on the floor of an exhibition space (such as 144 Lead Square 1969 or Twenty-fifth Steel Cardinal 1974). Carl Andre (born September 16 1935) is an American minimalist artist recognized for his ordered linear format and grid format sculptures.