Magdalena Abakanowicz, The Thread of Existence at Musée Bourdelle

The Musée Bourdelle in Paris is hosting the first major exhibition in France dedicated to the Polish artist Magdalena Abakanowicz, who died in 2017. Following a residency at the Tate Modern in 2023, La Trame de l’Existence (The Fabric of Existence) will run from November 20 to April 12, 2026, offering a rare opportunity to explore the works of Magdalena, who crossed the boundaries of sculpture, textiles, drawing and installation throughout her career.

Abakanowicz grew up and created art under the pressures of post-war Poland, a period marked by political censorship and scarcity. Her works address themes of identity, vulnerability and collective human experience. 

The exhibition will be hosted at the Bourdelle Museum, unfolding across the museum’s contemporary wing, which was recently renovated in time to host this show. Visitors wandering through this exhibition will first see Abakanowicz’s early experiments in tapestry, small sculptures and drawings, displaying her interest in textiles and raw materials. 

From there, the paths lead into the celebrated “Abakans”, vast hanging structures created in the 1960s that blur the line between textile and sculpture work. These suspended forms, some stretching across several meters, were radical for their time. 

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A significant part of the exhibition is devoted to Abakanowicz’s exploration of the human body. Her pieces, often headless or faceless, which reflect the anonymity of modern existence, are made from jute, resin and fabric. These works stand in contrast to the sculptures nearby, which resemble cocoons or protective shells caught between growth and decay. 

Later sections of the show highlight Abakanowicz’s large group installations and sculptural “crowds,” where repeated, nearly identical figures evoke themes of uniformity and the uneasy balance between individuality and society. The exhibition culminates with the dramatic “War Games” series, composed of massive tree trunks bound with steel. These monumental works reflect the violence and resilience that marked both the artist’s life and the broader history of the 20th century.

The Bourdelle Museum reopened in 2023 after completing a major restoration to improve its circulation, accessibility, and the presentation of its collections while preserving its intimate atmosphere. This revitalized setting provides an ideal backdrop for Abakanowicz’s work, allowing her sculptures and textiles to interact with the architecture and light of the newly refreshed galleries.

The exhibition is open Tuesday to Sunday, 10 am to 6 pm, with tickets required for the temporary show, while the museum’s permanent collection remains free to access. Workshops, guided tours, and hands-on activities accompany the exhibition, offering visitors the chance to engage with Abakanowicz’s techniques and themes until April next year. 

DETAILS
Musée Bourdelle
18, rue Antoine-Bourdelle, 15th
Tel: +33 (0)1 49 54 73 73
The show “Magdalena Abakanowicz, the Thread of Existence” will run until April 12th, 2026 ️
Full-price ticket: 12€