Martin Chirino

Martin Chirino (b. 1925 Spain, d. 2019 Spain) was a Spanish sculptor, celebrated for his distinctive sculptures that often explore the themes of movement and form, deeply rooted in the culture and landscape of the Canary Islands. A founding member of the Spanish avant-garde group El Paso, Chirino is best known for his iconic spiral and coil-shaped sculptures, crafted primarily from iron. His work reflects a deep connection to the elemental forces of nature, drawing inspiration from the wind, the sea, and the volcanic origins of his native islands. Chirino's sculptures are characterized by their fluidity, dynamism, and the tension between the material’s heaviness and the lightness of the forms he created. His contributions to contemporary sculpture have made him one of the most significant Spanish artists of the 20th century.