About the artist:

Alfred Gockel was born in 1952 near Münster, Germany. His first work of art was published at the age of 8 years old by a German publisher. He studied at the Polytechnic Art University in Münster. Alfred Gockel became well known and recognized in Germany as painter and as successful international publisher with a worldwide distribution. In 1983 Alfred and his wife Ingrid founded their publishing company Avant Art and distributed until 2006 almost 100 million open editions of only his own artwork all over the world to framers, art-poster shops and galleries. In 1990 he bought a silkscreen printer and started a collection of original limited, hand-signed silkscreen prints in different styles which sold very successfully. In his travels he has met a.o. Salvador Dali and Miro. In the United States he was impressed by the art of Jasper Johns and Jackson Pollock. From 1985 on his work was presented at the Art Expo NY. Since then he became, and is, in the USA very well known from coast to coast. In 2006 Mr. Alfred Gockel designed the official American version of the Olympic Games Affiche, (held in Turin, Italy) during these Games an Olympic exhibition took place in Atlanta. From 2003-2008 Alfred held art lectures and did action-painting-performances at high-end cruise ships and art events. Alfred Gockel is also involved in Andy Roddic's charity fund, most of the fundraisings during vernissage-auctions in the US are for this charity fund. In 2008 he founded the artgroup Quadriga, which is concentrating on etchings, woodcut, linoleum and lithograph. Alfred Gockel’s high-quality engravings reflect the craftmanship of his inspirators: Picasso, Mirò, Chagall, Dali and Dürer. Alfred Gockel is involved in 'Ruhr Essen European Cultural Capital 2010 Manifestation'. Alfred Gockel created a huge sculpture of 4,5 m height (!), for this Manifestation. The sculpture is about 2 coalminers who lean forwards against each other. Alfred Gockel was a miner before he studied art & design. This is the reason why he uses self-prepared tar in his paintings. The sculpture is officially unveiled in the last week of May 2010. Check: http://www.ruhrnachrichten.de/lokales/selm/Ballone-schweben-ueber-dem-alten-Gelaende-der-Zeche-Hermann;art931,909926 For August 2010 Alfred Gockel was contracted to do a solo art-tour, with action painting and art-lecture in some main cities of the USA, Orlando, Charlotte, Washington DC and Miami. ADAC (German Car Assistance Company) in Germany asked Alfred Gockel to create a sculpture with a size of 10 meters wide by 5 meters high with inside a yellow helicopter. This will be placed along the Highway A1 and A2 where the 2 most important German highways cross. A special hill of 18 meters high for this prestigious sculpture is ready to receive the sculpture within 2010. His unique brushstrokes on the bright colour palette makes his artwork very recognizable. He also uses tar as paint, which is specially prepared made according to a self- invented treatment. During the vernissage he uses to paint live an oversized canvas, so visitors have the privilege to see the master acting in the gallery. These events are like short master-classes and it’s amazing to see how he inspires the audience and then starts immediately concentrated to continue his painting with accurate, gentle brushstrokes; sometimes with two hands painting at the same time. Now Alfred Gockel is represented everywhere in the United States in many reputable galleries and his work is purchased by many art-collectors. Famous collectors of his art are a.o.: Abram Abramovich, Michael Jordan, Bono’s wife, Shaggy, Pat Robertson, Tommy Haas, Shaquil O’Neal, Christie Kerr, Ludacris, Pat Robinson, Andy Roddick a.o. Since 6 years now Alfred Gockel creates sculptures which are made in bronze and silver-alloy. There are sculptures built in steel and aluminium of more than several meters height and also in small sizes as limited editions. He’s very versatile in many disciplines of art, accessible as a person and full of ambition. Alfred Gockel is extra motivated to give way to his ambition and to become as acquainted in the rest of Europe as he is in the United States and Germany.