Kazimir Malevich Quotes

Powerful Kazimir Malevich for Daily Growth

About Kazimir Malevich

Kazimir Severinovich Malevich (1878-1935) was a seminal figure in modern art, particularly in the development of abstract art. Born in Kiev, Ukraine, he studied at the Moscow School of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture from 1896 to 1904. His early works were heavily influenced by Impressionism and Post-Impressionism. In 1907, Malevich co-founded the Jack of Diamonds group with Mikhail Larionov, aiming to break away from traditional Russian art. This period saw the emergence of his famous "Futurist" series, which depicted dynamic, cubist-inspired figures against expressive backgrounds. In 1915, Malevich unveiled his most iconic work, "Black Square," a simple black square on a white field, at the Last Futurist Exhibition of Painterly Realities in Petrograd (now St. Petersburg). This piece is considered the first purely abstract painting and marked the beginning of Suprematism, Malevich's own avant-garde art movement. During the Russian Revolution, Malevich taught at the State Free Art Studios in Moscow, where he continued to explore geometric abstraction. In 1927, he returned to teaching at VITEMAS (State Free Art and Technical Workshops), where he remained until his death in 1935. Throughout his career, Malevich's works reflected his philosophical beliefs, which were deeply rooted in spirituality and the search for universal truths. His legacy continues to influence contemporary artists worldwide. Quotes such as "We reject the object of art and we create a non-object" and "Art is an abstract, non-material value, a pure feeling" encapsulate his revolutionary ideas on art and its purpose.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"The true feeling of art is born in silence."

This quote by Kazimir Malevich emphasizes the importance of introspection and quiet reflection in the creation and appreciation of art. Silence, metaphorically or literally, encourages an environment where one can delve deeper into their inner self, drawing out genuine emotions that serve as the foundation for authentic artistic expression. In essence, silence allows art to be birthed from a place of sincerity and emotional depth, rather than being superficial or influenced by external factors.


"Art has to free itself from the fetters of the past and of tradition."

Malevich's quote underscores the idea that art should strive for innovation and freedom, breaking away from established norms and traditional constraints to explore new possibilities and ideas. In essence, he was advocating for a contemporary approach in art, where creative expression transcends historical context and embraces novelty and experimentation.


"The artist's task consists in creating a world apart from this real world."

This quote suggests that an artist's role is to create a separate, imaginative realm distinct from the physical or tangible world we inhabit. Through their artistic expressions, artists strive to construct unique universes of thought, emotion, and sensation, providing audiences with fresh perspectives on reality, challenging existing norms, and offering a glimpse into alternative realities. Essentially, art allows us to escape the mundane confines of everyday life and engage in a more profound exploration of human experience.


"We can see that the world will be reborn, but in order to do so it must first die."

This quote by Kazimir Malevich suggests a transformative view of life and change. He proposes that for something new to emerge or evolve, the old must undergo a metamorphosis, a kind of death or transformation. In other words, the world, as we know it, may need to experience significant changes, upheavals, or endings, in order for it to be reborn anew. This idea can be applied on various scales - from personal growth to societal evolution, and even to the cosmic realm, where stars are born out of the death of old ones. The quote encourages us to embrace change and understand that endings often pave the way for fresh beginnings.


"Suprematism is the sunrise of the art of the future."

Suprematism, as proposed by Kazimir Malevich, was an abstract art movement characterized by geometric forms against empty backgrounds, symbolizing pure artistic expression devoid of any narrative or symbolic reference. The quote suggests that Suprematism represents a new dawn in the world of art, signifying a fresh and innovative approach to artistic creation, which is set to define the future of art as it moves forward. Essentially, Malevich envisioned Suprematism as a revolutionary stepping stone toward a bold and exciting new chapter in the history of art.


Painters were also attorneys, happy storytellers of anecdote, psychologists, botanists, zoologists, archaeologists, engineers, but there were no creative painters.

- Kazimir Malevich

Happy, Engineers, Also, Attorneys

Painting is the aesthetic side of the object but it has never been original, has never been its own goal.

- Kazimir Malevich

Never, Aesthetic, Side, Object

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