Spatial Composition 4 by Katarzyna Kobro (1928).
Only about 20 of her sculptures still exist, some of which are reconstructions created after her death.
But in this small and brilliant oeuvre, we can see her philosophies come to life.
“Spatial Composition 4” by Katarzyna Kobro (1928). (Photo:Public domainvia WikiArt)
Who was Katarzyna Kobro?
This art movement was started by Russian artists Vladimir Tatlin and Alexander Rodchenko in 1915.
Firmly grounded in the industrial era, Constructivism called for abstraction, functionalism, and utilitarianism.
Left: Katarzyna Kobro with her daughter in 1938 (Photo:Unknown author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons) | Right: Władysław Strzemiński in 1932. (Photo:Public domainvia Wikipedia)
There was also an emphasis on form and art that worked to blend with space.
Therefore, Constructivism art is typically broken down into simplified, geometric forms.
Flashy color palettes were eschewed in favor of monochromatics or the use of primary colors.
Left: Model for “Tatlin’s Tower” by Vladimir Tatlin (1919) (Photo:Unknown author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons) | Right: “Proun Vrashchenia'”by El Lissitzky (1919). (Photo:El Lissitzky, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons)
Constructivism did spread internationally and was seen as an art movement at the forefront of the modern era.
Still, Constructivism continued to influence artists, both in and out of Russia.
It was particularly influential in architecture and would influence later movements likeBauhausandDe Stijl.
“Spatial Composition I” by Katarzyna Kobro (1925). (Photo:Public domainvia WikiArt)
Spatial Compositions
Spatial Composition I by Katarzyna Kobro (1925).
(Photo:Public domainvia WikiArt)
In 1920, Kobro created her first assemblage,ToS 75Struktura.
Though it is now lost, there are records of it in a 1931 book published by the couple.
“Spatial Composition II” by Katarzyna Kobro (1928). (Photo:Public domainvia WikiArt)
The work incorporated elements ofFuturismandCubismand was made from found industrial materials like bolts, screws, and cork.
The works are the perfect expression ofUnism,a concept developed by Strzeminski and Kobro.
Made from painted steel, Kobro’sSpatial Compositionswere either monochromatic or presented in primary colors.
“Spatial Compositions 9” by Katarzyna Kobro (1933). (Photo:Public domainvia WikiArt
In this way, the sculpture and its surrounding space become one.
Spatial Composition II by Katarzyna Kobro (1928).
When herSpatial Compositionswere exhibited for the first time in 1926, many critics misunderstood their intent.
“Spatial Sculpture” by Katarzyna Kobro (1925). (Photo:Public domainvia WikiArt)
But Kobro was strong in her convictions.
She published many texts on the topic, once stating that sculpture is only shaping the form in space.
It’s believed that the collective’s name stands for revolutionary artists or real avant-garde.
They published short bulletins and several books on avant-garde.
This included Kobro and, today, the museum has the largest collection of her work.
Later Career and World War II
Spatial Compositions 9 by Katarzyna Kobro (1933).
(Photo:Public domainvia WikiArt
By the mid-1930s, Kobro was no longer producing sculptures.
This is perhaps the byproduct of her caring for her young daughter Nika, who was ill. That year her book,Functionalism, was published.
The onset of World War II would have dire consequences for Kobro.
In 1939, she and Strzeminski fled their apartment in odz when Nazis invaded the city.
As her family was of Russian origins, she signed her name to a Russian list.
They would later become embroiled in a fierce custody battle for their daughter.
Legacy
Spatial Sculpture by Katarzyna Kobro (1925).
For a time, her art was overshadowed by the work of Strzeminski.
Her work with minimalism and fascination with art theory pushed her work to the forefront of the Constructivist movement.
In 1999, the Museum of Art in odz honored Kobro’s work with a solo exhibition.
Currently,Spatial Composition 5is on a five-year loan to New York’s Museum of Modern Art.
This piece anchored a display calledKatarzyna Kobro, Shaping Spacethat was on view until Spring 2022.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Katarzyna Kobro known for?
Katarzyna Kobro is a Polish sculptor known as a leader in the avant-garde movement in Central Europe.
She was particularly active in the years between World War I and World War II.
How did Katarzyna Kobro die?
Katarzyna Kobro died in 1951 after a battle with cancer.
