Magdalena Abakanowicz, the renowned Polish sculptor and multi-element artist, was recently commemorated by Google with a special Google Doodle on what would have been her 93rd birthday. Read more.
The late artist, who experienced the hardships of World War II during her childhood, left an indelible mark on the art world.
In recent news, Google explained the significance of Abakanowicz’s artwork, highlighting her groundbreaking contribution to a new art category called Abakans. These unique figures, made of woven fiber, blurred the boundaries between tapestry and sculpture.
Abakanowicz’s artistic journey began after she graduated in 1954. She gained recognition for her series of soft sculptures, known as Abakans, which earned her the top prize at the 1965 São Paulo International Art Biennale.
Throughout her career, she received numerous accolades, including the Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Sculpture Center, the Distinction in Sculpture award from the Sculpture Center in New York, and the Commander Cross with Star of the Order of Polonia Restituta in Poland.
As her artistic vision evolved, Abakanowicz drew inspiration from the complexities of the human condition. Fascinated by the sociological phenomenon of “The Crowd,” she explored individuality being subsumed within a collective.
Over the years, she created over a thousand figures resembling human trunks to manifest this concept.
One of Abakanowicz’s notable collections, Agora, consists of 106 iron-cast figures and is permanently installed in Chicago’s Grant Park. Her artwork has been prominently displayed in numerous museums and exhibitions worldwide, spanning Europe, the Americas, Japan, and Australia.
Today, the Marta Magdalena Abakanowicz Kosmowska and Jan Kosmowski Foundation, based in Warsaw, oversees the preservation and care of Abakanowicz’s extensive body of artwork. Through her innovative and thought-provoking creations, Magdalena Abakanowicz continues to leave a lasting legacy in contemporary art.
Must read: Priyanka Chopra Shared Her Thoughts for Nick Jonas.
