Andrés Nagel studied architecture, but soon opted for multi-disciplinary work where he mixed his roles as a sculptor, engraver, painter and photographer. In 1972, he used engraving for the first time in Grupo 15 in Madrid. There, he met Eduardo Chillida, a key figure in his career. His work from that time is closely akin to that of other Basque artists in the field of figurative art, seeking an alternative to abstract and informalist experiments. In this, he is in tune with the new figurative trend, which emphasised the image rather than form, as in earlier trends. Many influences intermingled in his output, from surrealism to pop art and neo-expressionism, with which he became attuned after his many trips to Italy, Switzerland and Germany. He ended up opting for figurative art, and was a key figure in the stylistic renewal of Basque art in the 1960s. Andrés Nagel is known for experimenting with very different techniques, forms of aesthetic expression and materials.. It is not unusual for him to work with lead, fluorescent light, polyester and fibreglass as he pushes the boundaries between formats, combining sculpture and painting.
In 1976 he took part in the ‘New Spanish Painting’ exhibition, at the Hasting Gallery in New York. This was his first appearance in the United States, where he acquired a strong presence over time. In 1985 he exhibited in a group show taken from the Spanish Contemporary Art Museum (Madrid) to the Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian (Lisbon). In 1988 the Bilbao Fine Arts Museum organised an anthological exhibition of his graphic work, which was repeated there in 1995. In 1991 he put on a travelling exhibition in Mexico at venues that included the Rufino Tamayo Museum (Mexico City). In 2003 he completed an eight-metre-high bronze sculpture in Amorebieta (Bizkaia) and the Sala Kubo at the Kursaal (San Sebastián) hosted an exhibition of his recent work. After that show, Andrés Nagel announced his decision to retire.
Andrés Nagel studied architecture, but soon opted for multi-disciplinary work where he mixed his roles as a sculptor, engraver, painter and photographer. In 1972, he used engraving for the first time in Grupo 15 in Madrid. There, he met Eduardo Chillida, a key figure in his career. His work from that time is closely akin to that of other Basque artists in the field of figurative art, seeking an alternative to abstract and informalist experiments. In this, he is in tune with the new figurative trend, which emphasised the image rather than form, as in earlier trends. Many influences intermingled in his output, from surrealism to pop art and neo-expressionism, with which he became attuned after his many trips to Italy, Switzerland and Germany. He ended up opting for figurative art, and was a key figure in the stylistic renewal of Basque art in the 1960s. Andrés Nagel is known for experimenting with very different techniques, forms of aesthetic expression and materials.. It is not unusual for him to work with lead, fluorescent light, polyester and fibreglass as he pushes the boundaries between formats, combining sculpture and painting.
In 1976 he took part in the ‘New Spanish Painting’ exhibition, at the Hasting Gallery in New York. This was his first appearance in the United States, where he acquired a strong presence over time. In 1985 he exhibited in a group show taken from the Spanish Contemporary Art Museum (Madrid) to the Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian (Lisbon). In 1988 the Bilbao Fine Arts Museum organised an anthological exhibition of his graphic work, which was repeated there in 1995. In 1991 he put on a travelling exhibition in Mexico at venues that included the Rufino Tamayo Museum (Mexico City). In 2003 he completed an eight-metre-high bronze sculpture in Amorebieta (Bizkaia) and the Sala Kubo at the Kursaal (San Sebastián) hosted an exhibition of his recent work. After that show, Andrés Nagel announced his decision to retire.