Miquel Navarro facts for kids

Miquel Navarro, born on September 29, 1945, is a talented Spanish artist. He is known for his sculptures, paintings, and even his poetry. People describe his art as "eclectic," meaning he mixes many different styles. He takes ideas from modern art movements like postmodernism, minimalism, and avant-garde.

About Miquel Navarro

Miquel Navarro was born in Mislata, a town in Valencia, Spain, in 1945. He studied painting at the San Carlos School of Fine Arts in Valencia from 1964 to 1968. In 1972, he decided to focus more on sculpture, but he still continued to paint. He also enjoys writing poetry.

Early Sculptures and Exhibitions

In 1973, Navarro created his first "Ciutat" (which means "City" in Valencian). These "cities" became one of his most important types of sculptures. He often used materials like fireproof clay, terracotta, and sand for these early works.

Between 1975 and 1980, he showed many of his key pieces. These included "Pirámide" (Pyramid) and "Els altres 75 anys de pintura valenciana" (The Other 75 Years of Valencian Painting). His art was displayed in Valencia and Madrid.

Growing Recognition and New Materials

In 1980, Miquel Navarro's sculptures were shown in the United States. They were part of a big international sculpture conference in Washington, D.C. His work was also exhibited at the Institute of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles.

Over the next few years, Navarro created more impressive sculptures. Some of these include "Estructura urbana" (Urban Structure) from 1983, "Des del terrar" (From the Rooftop) from 1985–1986, and "Minerva Paranoica" (Paranoid Minerva) from 1989. This last one was a very large, monumental sculpture. Many of his newer sculptures started to include iron.

Recent Works and Exhibitions

In more recent years, Navarro has continued to exhibit his art. He had shows in Bilbao in 2005 and at the Institut Valencià d'Art Modern (IVAM) in Valencia in 2009. Some of his sculptures from this period are "Ciudad Roja" (Red City) from 1994, "Casco Urbano" (Urban Helmet) from 1999, and "L'Almassil" from 2010.

Miquel Navarro's Artistic Style

Navarro's art style is very diverse. He takes inspiration from many different periods and movements, from Baroque art to Postmodernism and Minimalism.

The "City" Concept

One of his most famous contributions is his "Ciutat" (city) sculptures. Navarro sees a city as being like a living body. He explains that cities have "arteries" (like roads) and "vertical elements" (like walls and towers). He believes that when you describe a city, you are describing a kind of body.

Where to See His Art

Some of Miquel Navarro's amazing works are part of the collection at the famous Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York City.

Awards and Honors

Miquel Navarro has received many important awards for his artistic achievements:

• Spanish National Award for Plastic Arts, 1986
• Alfons Roig Award (Valencia's Council), 1987
• C.E.O.E Arts Award, 1990
• National AECA Award, 1995
• Valencians for the 21st Century Award, 2001
• Generalitat Valenciana Distinction for Cultural Merit, 2002
• Plastic Arts Awards "Valencianos del Mundo", 2008
• International Julio Gonzalez Award, 2008
• Man of the Year, Hortanoticias, 2009
• Academician of the Real Academia de BBAA de San Fernando, 2011

Public Sculptures and Street Works

Miquel Navarro has created many sculptures that can be seen in public spaces. Here are some of his well-known street works:

• Fuente Pública Valencia, 1986
• Torreta (Fuente Publica) Turis (Valencia), 1989
• Fanalet (Farola) Quart de Poblet (Valencia), 1989
• Minerva Paranoica (Sculpture) Castellón, 1989
• Ars Longa Vita Brevis (Universidad Autonoma) Barcelona, 1990
• Torre del Sonido (Sculpture Universidad Carlos III) Getafe (Madrid), 1992
• Fraternitat (Sculpture) Barcelona, 1992
• Mástiles (Hotel Valencia-Palace) Valencia, 1994
• Boca de Luna (Fuente Pública) Bruselas, 1996
• Centinela (Hotel San Roque) Garachico (Tenerife), 1999
• Home Guaita (Sculpture) Valencia, 1999
• Saltamontes Libando (Fuente Pública) Castellón, 1999
• Casco Industrial (Sculpture) Bilbao, 1999
• Andarin (Sculpture) Gijon (Asturias), 2000
• Oteando (Sculpture) Torrelavega (Cantabria), 2000
• Vigía (Sculpture) Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 2001
• Cabeza con Luna Menguante Mislata (Valencia), 2002
• La Mirada (Sculpture) Vitoria-Gasteiz, 2002
• Palera (Sculpture) Málaga, 2003
• Palas Fundición (Sculpture) Ceuti (Murcia), 2003
• El Parotet Valencia, 2006
• Conexión (Museo Bellas Artes- Bilbao), 2007
• Mantis (Murcia), 2008
• Válvula con alberca (Expo Zaragoza), 2008

See also

In Spanish: Miquel Navarro para niños