kids encyclopedia robot

Ursula von Rydingsvard facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Ursula von Rydingsvard
Ursula von Rydingsvardlandm
von Rydingsvard in her Brooklyn studio, 1997
Born
Ursula Karoliszyn

1942
Deensen, Free State of Brunswick, Nazi Germany
Education Columbia University
Known for Sculpture
Spouse(s) Paul Greengard
Elected Member, American Academy of Arts and Letters

Ursula von Rydingsvard (born in 1942) is a talented artist who creates amazing sculptures. She lives and works in Brooklyn, New York. Ursula is famous for making very large artworks. She often uses natural materials like cedar wood and other types of timber. Her art is often inspired by nature.

Her Early Life and Journey

Ursula von Rydingsvard was born in Deensen, Germany, in 1942. Her mother was Polish, and her father was Ukrainian. When she was a young child, her family faced many difficulties during World War II. They had to move often and lived in different refugee camps in Germany for five years. These camps were places for people who had lost their homes because of the war.

In 1959, Ursula and her six brothers and sisters came to the United States. They traveled by ship as part of a special program called the U.S. Marshall Plan. Catholic groups helped her family, who were farmers, settle in Plainville, Connecticut. Ursula went to college and earned degrees from the University of Miami in 1965 and Columbia University in New York City in 1975.

Amazing Artworks and Shows

Damski Czepek by Ursula von Rydingsvard
Damski Czepek by Ursula von Rydingsvard in Madison Square Park

Ursula von Rydingsvard has created many large sculptures that are on display in public places. You can see her art at places like the Microsoft Corporation in Washington and the Storm King Art Center in New York. Her work is also at the Bloomberg Building and the Barclays Center in New York City.

In 2006, she had a special outdoor art show called Mad. Sq. Art: Ursula von Rydingsvard in Madison Square Park. She was also featured on the TV show Art:21 Art in the Twenty-First Century on PBS in 2008. This show highlights important artists.

Ursula von Rydingsvard had her biggest art show in England in 2014-2015. It was at the Yorkshire Sculpture Park. This show helped many more people see her incredible work.

Where You Can See Her Art

Ursula von Rydingsvard at the National Museum of Women in the Arts - 2
Ursula von Rydingsvard at the National Museum of Women in the Arts
Tak by Ursula von Rydingsvard
Tak (2015), National Museum of Women in the Arts

Ursula von Rydingsvard's sculptures are part of many museum collections. This means her art is owned and displayed by these museums. Here are some of the places where her work can be found:

Important Exhibitions

Ursula von Rydingsvard's art has been shown in many important exhibitions around the world. Here are some of her notable shows:

  • 2021 Ursula von Rydingsvard: Nothing But Art, in Poland at the National Museum, Kraków and the Center of Polish Sculpture.
  • 2018 Now, She, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Pennsylvania.
  • 2015 Ursula von Rydingsvard, at the Venice Biennale in Italy.
  • 2014 Ursula von Rydingsvard, Yorkshire Sculpture Park, England.
  • 2011-2012 Ursula von Rydingsvard: Sculpture 1991-2009, shown in several places including SculptureCenter in New York.
  • 2006 Mad. Sq. Art: Ursula von Rydingsvard, at Madison Square Park, New York.
  • 1992-1994 A big show of her work over ten years at the Storm King Art Center, New York.

Awards and Recognition

Ursula von Rydingsvard has received many awards for her amazing art. These awards recognize her talent and her important contributions to the art world. Some of her awards include:

  • Gold Medal for Merit to Culture – Gloria Artis from Poland in 2021.
  • Artist Award for Distinguished Body of Work from the CAA in 2019.
  • Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Sculpture Center in 2014.
  • Skowhegan Medal for Sculpture in 2011.
  • Guggenheim Fellowship in 1983.
  • Several Individual Artists Grants from the National Endowment for the Arts.
kids search engine
Ursula von Rydingsvard Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.