ALEXANDER CALDER

July 22nd, 1898 – November 11th, 1976
Born in Lawnton, PA

American sculptor best known for his unique sculptures out of wire, metal, and wood which combine Abstract and Surrealist forms with biomorphic imagery. While living in Paris, he befriended several important Abstract artists, including Joan Miró and Piet Mondrian and was invited to join the group Abstraction-Création in 1931. He was inspired by the works of his fellow artists which led to his series of “mobile” works, which are kinetic structures carefully weighted and balanced while sensitive to the movement of the wind or motions of the viewer. He produced a wide-ranging body of work during his lifetime, including stationary sculptures (known as “stabiles”), drawings, paintings, jewelry and set designs. He has had several retrospectives and was honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Bicentennial Artist Award from the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York City in 1976.