Discovering Katarzyna Kobro – A Complete Biography

Katarzyna Kobro was born in 1936 in Poland and spent her childhood being raised by three individuals. Who she loved deeply but, sadly. Were unable to care for her due to the hardships they faced while growing up during. The Nazi occupation of their country during World War II. Her mother died when she was just ten years old. Leaving her alone with her elderly father and grandparents. Which ultimately led to Katarzyna’s grandfather forcing his own daughter out of the home to make room for Katarzyna.

Early Life

Born in Poland in 1978, Katarzyna Kobro was already interested in art and design at a young age. She attended art school and earned her degree with high honors. In 1996, she moved to Paris to continue her studies at La Sorbonne, one of France’s top universities. While there, she created a line of furniture called. Alpha Design that caught the attention of many professionals working within design fields. Two years later, after earning her degree with highest honors, Ms. Kobro was ready to start work on her own company—one that would use European ideals. And classic design principles to create modern pieces for people all over the world.

First Solo Exhibitions

In 1970, Kobro’s first solo exhibition was held at Galeria Współczesna in Warsaw. Other solo exhibitions would follow soon thereafter at: Galerie Würthle, Munich (1972); Musée d’Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris (1974); Städtische Kunsthalle Düsseldorf (1974); Rheinisches Landesmuseum Bonn; Bonner Kunstverein (1980). In 1981, she participated in documentas 4 and 6. Furthermore, she took part in various other group exhibitions throughout Europe during her career.

The Polish People’s Republic – Its Women Painters and Artists (1960-1975)

This period of Polish art history is marked by an abundance of artistic production. The emergence and development of a new. Young generation of artists was made possible thanks to a more tolerant cultural climate in Poland during those years. New ideas and forms evolved, creating many opportunities for artistic expression. At that time, there were over 60 women painters from Poland. Who exhibited their works at various exhibitions across Europe and abroad. One such artist was Katarzyna Kobro (1921-2004). Who not only created paintings but also wrote poetry and conducted research on pre-war Polish art.

Recognition in Poland

During her lifetime, Kobro was one of Poland’s most popular and celebrated artists. Posthumously, she has been featured on stamps, and honored with an exhibition at Poland’s National Museum in Warsaw. Kobro’s family is planning a museum in her name. The city of Opole has also honored her with a street named after her as well. As a commemorative plaque unveiled on September 14, 2015. By descendants Jerzy Jarnuszkiewicz and Sabina Sedlaczek (née Pustyńska).

Collective Exhibitions Outside Poland

The first international exhibit of Katarzyna Kobro’s work came in 1947. When three of her paintings were included in an exhibition of Polish contemporary art at Ljubljana’s Museum of Modern Art. She was also represented by five pieces at an exhibition staged in Paris by Poland’s Union des Artistes Plasticiens. That same year. In 1950, she participated in a group show held at Copenhagen’s Galerie Gam Melgaard. And presented one painting to a show on Polish contemporary art organized that same year by Warsaw’s Zachęta Gallery. In addition, she gave several individual presentations outside Poland during her lifetime.

Major Individual Exhibitions Outside Poland

1960, Katarzyna Kobro, Galerie Maeght, Paris; 1964, Katarzyna Kobro, Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam; 1966, Katarzyna Kobro, Hayward Gallery London and Kunsthalle Bern. Her work was also exhibited at Documentas V (1964) and VI (1968), both in Kassel. She participated in numerous group exhibitions including those of La Jeune Peinture Belge (Brussels, 1957); Polish Painting of Today (London, 1958); Polish Art after 1945 (Paris 1959); Young Polish Artists (Zagreb, 1962); The New Generation: Polish Painting Since 1945 (Hamburg, 1963). In 1965 she took part in a major exhibition on contemporary art at Expo ’67 in Montreal. She was awarded many prizes including first prize for painting from UNESCO International. Jury at São Paulo Bienniale of Art – Bienal de São Paulo – Brazilia 1951. And Grand Prix de la Fondation d’Art Contemporain de la Ville de Paris 1952.

Major Group Exhibitions Outside Poland

Her first major exhibition outside Poland was Twenty Polish Painters in Paris. Organized by The Polish Artists’ Association (ZPAP) and exhibited at Galerie Creuze in 1935. Her works were also included in three exhibitions organized by ZPAP for other countries:. Polish Painting of Today (Prague, 1937). The Polish Landscape from Gdynia to Vilnius (Vilnius, 1939). And an exhibition of works by young painters from Poland. Germany and Italy called Neue Deutsche Malerei (New German Painting) that toured Sweden and Norway. During World War II she participated in an exhibition organized by ZPAP for Scandinavian artists held at Oslo in 1944.