FEMALE FIGURE

Josip Konta (May 18, 1946 - December 7, 2023) was a prominent Croatian sculptor and painter whose art enriched the cultural scene of Croatia and abroad. He graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts in Zagreb in 1972, and then continued his education through postgraduate studies as an associate in the master workshop of Professor Antun Augustinčić from 1972 to 1974.

His works have found their place in both Croatian and private collections around the world. Josip Konta passed away on December 7, 2023, but his legacy in the world of art remains vibrant, and his artistic achievements will continue to inspire generations of future artists and art lovers.

Josip Konta’s sculptural works reflect the artist’s deep fascination with themes of alienation, various states of the human spirit, and the individual’s position in society. Through his sculptures, Konta explores the complexity of human nature and the internal conflicts that accompany contemporary society.

His sculptural technique includes voids and irregularities in modeling, which are closely tied to the concept of negative space, further emphasizing the importance of the relationship between form and void in his works.

Konta uses negative space to achieve a specific aesthetic and convey a message in his works. The voids and irregularities in the sculptures symbolize feelings of alienation, emotional emptiness, or a lack of communication, further reinforcing his explored themes. The horse in Konta’s sculptural works often symbolizes humanity’s ideal reflection – that sought-after, better part of us that is difficult, and sometimes impossible, to achieve. The artist uses this motif to underscore the necessity of introspection for every individual.

Notably, the artist supports complete interpretive freedom for viewers of his sculptures, acknowledging that each interpretation of the work is subject to each individual’s personal experience based on their life experiences and understanding of the world.