KAZIMIR MALEVICH

Malevich was one of the most influential avant-garde artists of the 20th century. He was born in Kiev of a Polish family.

In 1915, he lay down the foundations of a wholly abstract form of art called “Suprematism” in his manifesto “From Cubism to Suprematism”. He then worked with like minded artists in a peasant artisan cooperative. The most notorious work was his Black Square painting, which was placed in his exhibition in the corner of the room, where in domestic settings a holy icon would normally have been. It was the ultimate statement against religion.

Following the Russian Revolution, he taught at various academies approved by the state. But following the fall of Trotsky, he fell foul of the new type of art demanded by Stalin - social realism - and was forbidden to paint. He was later arrested as a Polish spy and threatened with execution. He survived, only to die of cancer four years later.