MALE TORSO

Delivery of artwork

All the artworks of Josip Konta come with a certificate of authenticity issued by the artist himself and a certificate of authorship from the Croatian Society of Fine Artists.

The artist provides free shipping of his works to any location worldwide, enabling art lovers to take delivery of his works without any additional costs, thereby saving time.

The sculptures are shipped in wooden crates custom-made for sculptures, which are certified for international shipping, ensuring the safety and protection of the artworks during transit to their new destination.

The weight of the crate is 29 kg, plus a protective filling made of light material.
The total weight of the wooden crate and sculpture is 63,5 kg.

 

This type of shipment is usually dispatched within 10 working days.
  

 

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.

From 1974 to 1977, he served as the director of the Foundry of Art at the Academy of Fine Arts in Zagreb. After this period, Josip Konta lived and worked as a freelance artist in Zagreb, where he left a deep mark with his exceptional talent and passion for art.

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.

 

Analysis of the sculpture and possible meaning

The sculpture Male Torso by Josip Konta from 1978 conveys human imperfection and fragility with almost archetypal force. The absence of limbs and the distinctly twisted position of the body are not merely physical deficits but a powerful means of depicting a wide spectrum of internal states, from introspection to internal conflict. Rough modeling does not merely reflect stylistic preferences; it symbolizes human imperfection, creating a play of light and shadow that deepens the emotional expressiveness of the torso. This approach contributes to textural depth, effectively conveying a wide range of emotional states to the observer.

This work communicates male pain and loss often hidden behind masks of strength in contemporary society. Konta shows us that external appearance can be deceiving, and true strength and vulnerability often lie deep within our being. Male Torso becomes a powerful reflection on the challenges of identity and the strength required to confront our own weaknesses in today's world.
Konta masterfully uses sculpture to convey the depth of the human psyche, transforming inert metal into a reflection of human experience.
This torso is characterized by its almost totemic nature and offers a space for projecting and reflecting emotions. Every indentation and protrusion on the surface, through the interplay of shadow and light, acts as a reflection of internal struggles, passions, dreams, and fears that define human existence. Konta leaves a strong impression, creating a sculpture that takes on the emotional state of the observer and becomes a mirror of their own soul.

Thus, Male Torso becomes more than a physical representation of the human body; it is a channel through which the human spirit, its strengths and weaknesses, its suffering and triumphs, can be understood. With his unique technique, Konta revitalizes bronze, giving it a new purpose as a mediator between art and observer.

   

 

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.

Josip Konta’s bronze sculptures are produced exclusively in a limited edition of no more than eight original copies (1/1-1/8).