Harold B. Cousins

Harold B. Cousins (born June 3, 1916 in Washington, DC , † 1992 in Brussels , Belgium ), was an American sculptor . He was an important exponent of abstract art after the Second World War.

Harold Cousins studied at Howard University in Washington, DC , where he was inspired by the writings of Alain Locke . After serving in the United States Coast Guard from 1943 to 1945 in the Second World War , he returned to Washington and began studying art at Howard University, which he graduated in 1947. He worked as a sculptor from 1946.

In 1948, Cousins moved to New York City and studied at the Art Students League with William Zorach , Reginald Marsh and Will Barnett . In 1949 Cousins left the USA permanently, moved to Paris and studied with Ossip Zadkine at the Académie de la Grande Chaumière .

Cousins began his sculpting with sculptures made of terracotta and wood. He later switched to metal sculpture. In the 1950s he learned the technique of welded steel sculptures from Shinkichi Tajiri . In 1957, Cousins began to manufacture his “ plaitons ”: sculptures that consisted of welded metal plates and that from then on characterized his work. During this time his art received international attention and recognition. In 1952, Cousins participated in exhibitions in New York, Toronto , Paris and other European cities. His first solo exhibition took place in Amsterdam . In 1959 Harold Cousins participated in documenta II in Kassel .

His works in the 1950s and 1960s are characterized by politically critical content, for example the titles of some of the sculptures: Political Prisoner (1954) or Slave (1963).

Cousins lived in Paris until 1967, after which he moved to Brussels , where he lived and worked until the end of his life in 1992.

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personal data
SURNAME	Cousins, Harold B.
ALTERNATIVE NAMES	Cousins, Harold
BRIEF DESCRIPTION	American sculptor
DATE OF BIRTH	June 3, 1916
PLACE OF BIRTH	Washington, DC , USA
DATE OF DEATH	1992
Place of death	Brussels , Belgium