Eduardo Chillida (1924–2002) was a renowned 20th-century Basque sculptor celebrated for his monumental abstract works that explore space, form, and material. Born in San Sebastián, Spain, Chillida began studying architecture in 1943 but left to pursue sculpture at the Circulo de Bellas Artes in Madrid, where he worked with gypsum and clay.

Chillida's career took shape during a trip to Paris in 1949, where he began sculpting in iron. Upon his return to Spain, he settled in Hernani, focusing on abstract works that used space itself as a medium, with fluid and geometric forms creating a unique spatial dialogue. His pieces, often in steel and granite, reflect his view that “the hand has the richest articulation of space.”

In later years, Chillida’s vision of a place where his sculptures could interact with nature became the Chillida-Leku Museum in Hernani. Here, monumental sculptures are thoughtfully integrated within the landscape, inviting visitors to experience art as part of nature.