Embryology 1978 - 1980

Editor: Here we have Magdalena Abakanowicz's *Embryology*, from an unspecified date, housed at the Tate. It's comprised of many soft, stone-like forms. They give off a primal, almost organic feeling, despite their muted tones. What statements do you think Abakanowicz is making? Curator: Considering Abakanowicz's biography, it's impossible to overlook the sociopolitical context. Her youth was marked by war, the Nazi occupation, and later, Soviet oppression in Poland. *Embryology*, with its vulnerability, speaks to the human condition under totalitarian regimes. Editor: So, you see these forms as stand-ins for the human body? Curator: Precisely. The repetitive nature echoes the masses, while their varying sizes hint at individual struggles within those structures. It's about power, control, and ultimately, resilience. Editor: That sheds new light on the piece. I initially saw only a natural landscape, but now I see something much more profound. Curator: Art often holds multiple layers, revealing deeper meaning when viewed through different lenses.