Magdalena Abakanowicz

Magdalena Abakanowicz (born June 20, 1930) is an abstract Polish sculptor. She is notable for her use of textiles as a sculptural medium.

Born in Falenty , Poland she attended the Academy in Warsaw between 1950 and 1955. A notable shift is made in her work in 1960 from traditional sculpture to cheifly rope and hessian. Her inital work in this medium was through dying rope and forming reliefs - but this soon moved into true sculpture. Her early exhibitions include that at the Galerie Kordegarda in 1960 and at the International Tapestry Biennial in Lausanne in 1962. She won a gold medal at the São Paulo Bienal in 1965. She has since been a teacher and professor.