NOSTALGIA

Product Code: NOSTALGIA18

Availability: In Stock

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Summary

Year 1970

Bronze sculpture

Author Josip Konta

Limited edition 1/8

Certificate of authenticity

Short description

Sculpture, patinated bronze:
height 65 cm
width 18 cm
depth 19 cm

Total weight ___ kg

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 26 kg, plus a protective filling made of light material.
The total weight of the wooden crate and sculpture is 45,7 kg.

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

The price of the artwork does not include potential customs charges in the destination country. All customs fees are the responsibility of the buyer. It is the buyer's responsibility to fully inform themselves about the possible customs costs of the chosen artwork in the destination country.

Biography

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.

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Analysis of the sculpture and possible meaning

The sculpture Nostalgia depicts a woman in a sitting position and is made from polished bronze, emphasizing her resilience and endurance. Also, the refined, polished surface enhances the visual radiance and elegance of the piece, creating a fascinating contrast between the toughness of the material and the delicacy of the form. This blend of material and meticulously crafted finish underscores the artist’s intention to create a work that will endure the test of time, mirroring the theme of nostalgia and reminiscences of the past.

This work, made in 1970, is one of only four remaining works from Josip Konta’s early cycle. Namely, as a young artist, Konta was forced to destroy his other sculptures from that period due to a lack of storage space. The sculpture symbolizes nostalgic memories of bygone times and enduring emotions, and its execution radiates artistic maturity and subtlety.

The artist, who created it when he was only 24 years old, infused the character with sentimentality and melancholy. The female figure is depicted in an elegant pose; her slightly bowed head and contemplative lips suggest the recalling of emotionally important and heartfelt moments from the past. Her posture reflects a complete immersion in the experience she is reliving, with her hands resting serenely on her lap, while the wistful expressiveness of her face perfectly communicates the sentimentality of the sculpture. This delicate portrayal of a female figure highlights Konta’s capacity to capture subtle nuances of human emotions in his work, reflecting his artistic maturity and refinement.

Observing this sculpture evokes strong emotional reactions, urging us to reflect on the values that were once important to us but which we may presently overlook. The sculpture Nostalgia serves as a reminder of the importance of past memories and emotions, which have sculpted our present and guided our journey toward the future. Although Konta later transitioned to a different sculptural expression, this sculpture is a testament to his early development, artistic maturity, and ongoing evolution.

Main features of sculptural artworks

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).