'Zaha Hadid and Suprematism' exhibition, Zurich

A burst of black and white wall graphics lend an aptly energetic backdrop.
The exterior of Galerie Gmurzynska in Zurich, which is now showing 'Zaha Hadid and Suprematism'
(Image credit: Press)

A burst of black and white wall graphics lend an aptly energetic backdrop to Zaha Hadid's flexing furniture and the geometric works of Russian Suprematist artists at Zurich's Galerie Gmurzynska.

Curated and designed by the architect herself, 'Zaha Hadid and Suprematism' explores the long-standing connection between Hadid's work and the Russian Avant Garde movement of the early twentieth century. The seed for this show was first planted when she designed the Guggenheim's exhibition about the movement - titled 'The Great Utopia' - in New York in 1992, before her first architectural project had been built. But it is the first exhibition to focus on the link between her own work and the movement.

The Suprematists provided graphic order during the politically chaotic years leading up to, and during, the Russian revolution. The father of the movement, Kazimir Malevich, is represented here by works including 'Red Square: Painterly Realism of a Peasant Woman in Two Dimensions' - simply depicting a red square on a white background. His pieces are accompanied by those by the likes of Ilya Chashnik and Alexander Rodchenko, whose ordered shapes have strong architectural traces.

Alongside these are a series of drawings and images spanning from the beginning of Hadid's career to the present day. The Suprematists' influence is clear in the geometry of her work, its contours and complex landscapes. Also on show are the fluid forms of her more recent furniture designs, such as the 'Seoul' desk and the 'Orchis' series of outdoor stools.

Gray sofa and metalic crater table in the room.

'Zephyr' sofa, 2009, and 'Crater' table, 2007, by Zaha Hadid

(Image credit: Press)

'Seoul’ desk by Zaha Hadid

'Seoul' desk by Zaha Hadid, 2008. On the walls at Galerie Gmurzynska are works by Russian Avant Garde artists, including Kazimir Malevich and Alexander Rodchenko

(Image credit: Press)

Explosive black and white wall graphics.

Explosive black and white wall graphics, designed by Zaha Hadid, who also curated the exhibition.

(Image credit: Press)

'Orchies' stools and table by zaha hadid

'Orchis' series of outdoor stools by Zaha Hadid, 2008

(Image credit: Press)

Black landscape table in the room.

The Suprematists’ influence is apparent in the geometry of Hadid's work, its contours and complex landscapes.

(Image credit: Press)

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Malaika Byng is an editor, writer and consultant covering everything from architecture, design and ecology to art and craft. She was online editor for Wallpaper* magazine for three years and more recently editor of Crafts magazine, until she decided to go freelance in 2022. Based in London, she now writes for the Financial Times, Metropolis, Kinfolk and The Plant, among others.