Gego, whose full name was Gertrud Goldschmidt, fled Nazi Germany due to her Jewish heritage, settling in Caracas, Venezuela. She began her artistic pursuits in this country, where she initially focused on drawing and printmaking. As she delved deeper into the artistic landscape of Caracas, she developed a passion for abstraction and a keen interest in the interplay of light, space, and form. Throughout her career, Gego’s experimentation with wire as a sculptural medium became her signature.
Her “Reticulárea” series, which she started in the 1960s, showcased intricate and delicate wire structures that challenged traditional notions of sculpture. These suspended works played with light and shadow, creating ever-changing visual experiences for the viewer. She taught at the Universidad Simón Bolívar in Caracas, inspiring and mentoring a new generation of artists. Her dedication to pushing artistic boundaries and engaging with the possibilities of materials and space had a profound impact on the development of contemporary art in Venezuela and beyond.
Gego’s dedication to her craft and her innovative spirit continued until her passing on September 17, 1994. Her contributions to geometric abstraction, kinetic art, and her unique approach to sculpture earned her a lasting place in the art world’s history. Her work continues to inspire artists and art enthusiasts, serving as a testament to the power of imagination, experimentation, and the transcendent language of art.
