Tosia Malamud

Why this artist matters now

Tosia Malamud was a Mexican sculptor of Ukrainian origin, one of the first female graduates of Mexico's Escuela Nacional de Artes Plásticas. Her family immigrated to Mexico when she was four, and her talent for art appeared early. She went to art college against her parents' wishes, graduating in 1943. Because of family obligations, her career did not begin until the mid-1950s with two important exhibitions that brought her style to the attention of critics. From then until her death, she exhibited her work in Mexico and abroad. She also created large and small works for public spaces. In addition to depictions of notable people, she created works mostly dealing with maternity, family and childhood which can be found in places such as the Museo de Arte Moderno and the Hospital Siglo XXI in Mexico City. La familia has become iconic for Mexico's Instituto Mexicano de Seguro Social and Viento for the Museo de Arte Contemporáneo in Morelia.