A pioneer of American Conceptual art, Allen Ruppersberg works in a variety of mediums including paintings, prints, photographs, sculptures, installations, and books. Through his work, Ruppersberg forces his audience to rethink and reevaluate what constitutes fine art and the means of production behind an artwork. While studying in Los Angeles, Ruppersberg formed meaningful relationships with artists such as John Baldessari, Ed Ruscha, William Wegman, and Allan McCollum. In 1969, Ruppersberg participated in the revolutionary exhibition When Attitude becomes Form, which challenged curatorial strategies and featured Conceptual art installations. Ruppersberg has since been recognized as one of the most important practitioners of installation art, producing art works such as Al's Cafe (1969), Al's Grand Hotel (1971), and The Novel that Writes Itself (1978). The Novel that Writes Itself exemplifies Ruppersberg effort to conceptualize communication in modern society through large installation pieces evoking themes of mass media and consumer society.

Ruppersberg has exhibited his work in over sixty solo shows and nearly 200 group shows since the late 1960s. His works can be found in the permanent collections of numerous institutions and museums worldwide.