Alina Szapocznikow

The Polish sculptor Alina Szapocznikow devoted her career to representations of the human body. Born in 1926 and active throughout the mid-20th century, Szapocznikow used resin, polyester, polyurethane and various other media to construct fragmented, macabre depictions of the human form. Her work is characterized by a unique and innovative approach to the representation of the body, incorporating themes of transformation and elements of surrealism to illustrate the fleeting and ephemeral nature of existence. Often linking her work to autobiographical experience, Szapocznikow was an astute observer of the paradigm shifts in Post-War Polish society, who also drew on her own struggles with illness. On view in this exhibition is what can be seen as Szapocznikow’s raw material — two intricate drawings that illustrate her varied process.