Maria Bartuszová
Maria Bartuszová
Book
This exhibition book on Slovak artist Maria Bartuszová (1936–1996) introduces readers to the ethereal and other-worldly forms that dominate her oeuvre and explores her influence in a broader global and political context. Bartuszová pioneered the techniques used in an experimental and abstract plaster casting. Creating unique methods such as ‘gravistimulated’ and ‘pneumatic’ casting, she defined the world of sculpture on her own terms. From raindrops and eggs to parts of the human body, Bartuszová was interested biomorphology and how she could use the organic nature of casting in plaster to create simultaneously solid and delicate works.
Celebrating the fragile and corporeal, the soft and the solid, this book provides the perfect introduction to the artist. The cover is screen printed in a texture reminiscent of the whitewash of the sculptures on a textured green paper, which speaks of her connection with nature. The layout of the text echoes the act of ‘push and pull’ in the artist’s work, in which she juxtaposes soft, delicate forms with the forceful intervention of metal or wood. The rough string against the billowing forms creates beautiful tension. The design reflects this contrast in how images are clashing into the text columns. The typeface is delicate yet willful and determined with strong character.
Contributors: Gabriela Garlatyová, Marie Klimešová, Harald Krejci, Lucia Gregorová Stach and Lisa Le Feuvre
