Linus Coraggio

Linus Coraggio (b. 1957) is a New York City–based sculptor and a founding figure of the Rivington School, the East Village junk-metal sculpture collective that produced sprawling installations on the Lower East Side from 1985 to 1997. His best-known base of operations was "Gas Station/Space 2B," a decade-long welding studio and informal gallery he ran out of a former gas station at Avenue B and 2nd Street in Alphabet City. In the 1980s he also invented "3-D Graffiti" — welded metal constructions bolted onto No-Parking signposts in several major cities.

Raised in New York City by two artist parents, Coraggio began drawing at age one and was making cardboard and wood sculptures by age eight. He is a 1984 graduate of SUNY Purchase and later attended the Whitney Studio Program.

Since 1980 his primary focus has been welded sculpture and sculptural furniture, alongside continued painting, drawing, and printmaking. He cites David Smith, Mark di Suvero, Isaac Witkin, Beverly Pepper, and Simon Rodia as influences, and favors recycled/found materials for their historical character. His work has been exhibited internationally, with sponsored public-sculpture residencies in Helsinki, Rotterdam, Linz, and Japan.