Magdalena Abakanowicz

This exhibition book is a stunning exploration of an extraordinary and unique body of work by Polish sculptor and fibre artist, Magdalena Abakanowicz.

Magdalena Abakanowicz (1930–2017) was a Polish artist who revolutionised the use of woven forms in art. In the mid 1960s, she transformed the modest material of sisal into monumental hanging sculptures, known as Abakans, which captivated audiences and brought her international fame. In the 1970s she amassed them into vast organic environments, at times threading through reclaimed ship ropes. Imbued with meaning, they were spaces to contemplate, to immerse oneself in, to experience.

This catalogue explores the unique nature of these radical works and brings readers into Abakanowicz’s imaginal world. Delving into the lesser-known context of the art world from which Abakanowicz emerged, and touching on other aspects of a remarkable sixty-year career, it reveals her impact on environmental sculpture, as well as her deeply personal interests in natural phenomena and global cultures. Showcasing the Abakans in a whole new light, it is a celebration of the mastery and determination of this extraordinary artist.

Ann Coxon is Curator of International Art at Tate. She has curated numerous collection displays, including monographic galleries of works by Bruce Nauman, Louise Bourgeois, Janet Cardiff, Magdalena Abakanowicz, Phyllida Barlow, Mona Hatoum and many others, as well as the thematic display Beyond Craft focussing on American Fiber Art from the 1960s and 1970s. Most recently she curated retrospectives on Dorothea Tanning (2019) and Anni Albers (2018), and an exhibition on Magdalena Abakanowicz.

Mary Jane Jacob is an independent curator and Professor at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.