Magdalena Abakanowicz's Drawings and Figures Explore Trauma and Nature at Block Museum
Between September 26 and December 14, 2008, Northwestern University's Mary and Leigh Block Museum of Art showcased 'Magdalena Abakanowicz: The Reality of Dreams,' which highlighted the Polish artist's drawings spanning thirty years. Abakanowicz, renowned for her headless figures, was raised in Poland during World War II and currently resides in Warsaw. Her charcoal and gouache works delve into themes of life's energy and the deceit of death, including pieces like 'Drawing: Inside of Devious Tree' (1988-1992) and 'Body 81 A' (1981). The installation 'Flock' (1990) featured burlap figures, contrasting with her outdoor sculpture 'Agora' in Chicago. The series 'Faces Which Are Not Portraits' (2004-2005) captures existential dread, symbolizing trauma and the human experience.
Key facts
- Exhibition ran from September 26 to December 14, 2008
- Held at Mary and Leigh Block Museum of Art, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois
- Focused on Magdalena Abakanowicz's drawings over three decades
- Abakanowicz is a Polish sculptor known for headless figures and fiber art
- Drawings use charcoal or gouache to create organic shapes like trees and torsos
- Included installation 'Flock' (1990) from Ragazzi series with burlap and resin figures
- Featured series 'Faces Which Are Not Portraits' (2004-2005) with phantom faces
- Exhibition title 'The Reality of Dreams' references trauma and existential anxiety
Entities
Artists
- Magdalena Abakanowicz
- Agnes Masters
Institutions
- Mary and Leigh Block Museum of Art
- Northwestern University
- artcritical
Locations
- Evanston
- Illinois
- United States
- Poland
- Warsaw
- Chicago