Malevich's revolutionary introduction of the unrelenting square form
In the realm of abstract art, one movement stands out for its stunning simplicity and emphasis on pure geometric forms: Suprematism. Born in Russia during the early 20th century, Suprematism revolutionised the art world with its complete detachment from the real world, based on the primacy of pure sensation.
Kazimir Malevich, a self-taught artist who studied at the Par Hromovka College, was chosen during the 1910s modern art movements to create works inspired by Suprematism. Malevich, born in 1879 in Kiev to a family of Polish origin, shook up the art world with Black Square on White Background, an oil on canvas painting considered the manifesto of the emergence of the Suprematist movement, created in 1915. This painting, with its striking black square against a white background, challenges our relationship with images, meaning, and what we expect from a work of art. Malevich's shapes, depicted against a white background, float, perhaps falling, dropping, or rising.
Malevich's influence can be seen in various artists, architects, designers, and even philosophers of art. His work continues to inspire contemporary artists such as Ronald Hunter.
Ronald Hunter's artwork is inspired by Suprematism. His collection includes pieces like "Untitled in Red", "Circle in Circle - The Maze Blue", "Fractured Orange & Pink", "Traffic Yellow Mix", "Fractured colorful", and "Traffic Pink Vertical". The dimensions and prices of Hunter's artworks vary, with examples such as "Traffic Yellow Mix" being 40 x 40 x 0.1 cm and priced at $150, while "Untitled in Red" and "Circle in Circle - The Maze Blue" are both 80 x 80 cm, priced at $1299 and $1599 respectively.
Malevich's placement of the black square in a corner of the wall, similar to how sacred paintings are displayed in Russian homes, is a nod to the traditional roots of art, while simultaneously challenging them. After the revolution, abstract art was initially encouraged by the Bolsheviks, but when Stalin came to power, abstraction was rejected, and Malevich was forced to evolve. Despite this, Malevich remained dedicated to his artistic vision, even requesting that his black square be engraved on his tomb when he died in 1935, isolated and marginalized.
Suprematist paintings are distinguished by their stunning simplicity and use of basic geometric shapes and primary colors. These works question the dimensions and elementary forms familiar to everyone, challenging our perceptions and expectations of art. Malevich's revolutionary approach to art continues to resonate today, inspiring artists like Ronald Hunter to push the boundaries of what art can be.
