Born in Dusseldorf, Germany Norbert Kricke studied at the Hochschule für Bildende Künste in Berlin. Kricke is best known for his abstract sculptures created using steel, glass and concrete to evoke a Constructivist and industrial style. He was often considered among the most important members of the expressionist L’Art Informel movement, and had close links to the Nouveau réalisme movement. In the 1950s Kricke completed several commissions for public sculptures, now situated outside of the Gelsenkircken Opera House and the Munster Theatre. He also designed fountains for the University of Baghdad, which displayed his celebrated theories of the use of flowing water in art. In 1964 Kricke accepted the position of Chair of Sculpture at the Staatliche Kunsakademie in Dusseldorf, of which he later became Director. He continued to teach and sculpt until his death in 1984.