On what would have been her 93rd birthday, the late Polish sculptor, Magdalena Abakanowicz, is being honored with a captivating Google Doodle.
Magdalena Abakanowicz was part of a generation whose childhood was marred by the outbreak of World War II, which deeply influenced her artistic journey.
In a blog post released on June 20, Google unveiled the inspiration behind Abakanowicz’s remarkable Doodle, stating, “Is it sculpture or tapestry? Magdalena Abakanowicz’s woven fiber figures shattered conventions and pioneered a groundbreaking art form known as Abakans. Today, we celebrate the achievements of this visionary Polish sculptor and multi-faceted artist.”
Magdalena Abakanowicz completed her studies at the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw in 1954, marking the beginning of her illustrious career as a sculptor. She gained recognition for her series of soft sculptures called Abakans, which garnered her the prestigious top prize at the 1965 São Paulo International Art Biennale.
Throughout her career, Magdalena Abakanowicz received numerous accolades, including the Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Sculpture Center in New Jersey, 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 art progressed, Magdalena Abakanowicz drew inspiration from the “human condition.” Google’s blog post explains, “The artist found inspiration in the sociological phenomenon of ‘The Crowd,’ which explores how individuals lose their sense of self within a collective entity. Building on this concept, Abakanowicz created over a thousand figures, resembling human trunks, over the years.”
One of her notable collections, Agora, consists of 106 iron cast figures and is permanently displayed in Chicago’s Grant Park.
Abakanowicz’s remarkable artwork has been exhibited in numerous museums and galleries across Europe, the Americas, Japan, and Australia. Today, her extensive body of work is preserved and curated by the Marta Magdalena Abakanowicz Kosmowska and Jan Kosmowski Foundation, located in Warsaw.
With this thoughtful and visually captivating Google Doodle, the profound impact of Magdalena Abakanowicz’s artistic legacy continues to resonate worldwide.
