Alfred Alexander Gockel

Alfred Alexander Gockel (he goes by “Alex,” but his given name is Alfred) was born in the coal mining town near Münster, Germany in 1952. Gockel’s first work was published when he was only 8 years old. He planned to become an engineer, but at the age of 16 Gockel began to work in the German coal mines at 700 meters deep. When the mining industry experienced a downturn, many of the town’s inhabitants were left without jobs. The struggle Gockel felt at this time continues to affect his artwork today. Gockel’s experience in the coal mines is a major reason why he uses self-prepared tar in his own acrylics.