Miguel Berrocal  (Spanish, 1933-2006) 

Miguel Berrocal (Spanish, 1933–2006) was born in Malaga, Spain, and studied mathematics, architecture, chemistry, and art at the Escuela de Artes y Oficios under the guidance of Angel Ferrant. His knowledge of form and structure gave Berrocal the ability to create artworks of varying sizes designed around the single principal of assemblage. Berrocal’s sculptures consist of interlocking elements known as “component parts” that can be assembled into unique forms within a series of almost identical objects. His more complex sculptures evolved from a set of simple elements by exploring all of the possible permutations of parts within this set; these arrangements disrupt preconceived notions of figurative and abstract and question the fixed nature of sculpted form. Until his death, Berrocal ran a foundry in Negrar, Italy, where he produced many works. During his lifetime he was the recipient of the Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et Des Lettres and the Commendatore della Republicca Italiana honor as well as the Gold Medal of Andalusia.