American sculptor and artist, best known for his kinetic sculptures, known as “mobiles”, which made a decisive contribution to the development of kinetic art. He also worked in painting, printmaking, and jewellery design, and created toys and other objects.

He initially studied engineering and graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering in 1919, before turning to the visual arts. In the early 1930s, he began creating abstract kinetic sculptures using metal sheets cut into simple shapes, wires, and thin metal rods. Their individual elements are carefully balanced and interconnected, allowing them to move with air currents and create constantly changing compositions.

At the same time, he created what became known as “stabiles”, large-scale static sculptural structures. In 1952, he represented the United States at the Venice Biennale, where he was awarded the Grand Prize for Sculpture.