Naum Gabo

1890 - 1977

Naum Gabo was one of the worlds foremost Constructivist sculptors.
Born in Russia, named Naum Neemia Pevsner he was the younger brother of Antoine Pevsner. He abandoned a medical career and began to study in Munich. In 1910 he met Kandinsky and in 1913/14, while visiting his brother, then a Cubist painter in Paris, he met other artists. In 1915 he made the first constructions using the name Gabo. He returned to Russia in 1917 and become embroiled in art and politics. He and Pevsner opposed Tatlin and in 1920 they issued their 'Realistic Manifesto'.

He had to leave Russia, spending the years 1922 - 32 in Berlin, lecturing at Bauhaus in 1928, before going to England. He spent 7 years in Cornwall meeting Hepworth, Nicholson, Lanyon and others. In 1946 he settled in America, taking citizenship in 1952.

He died in Conneticut, USA in 1977.