Kazimir Malevich Kazimir Severinovich Malevich (Russian: Казимир Северинович Малевич, Polish: Kazimierz Malewicz, Ukrainian: Казимир Северинович Малевич [kazɪˈmɪr sɛʋɛˈrɪnoʋɪtʃ mɑˈlɛʋɪtʃ], German: Kasimir Malewitsch, Belarusian: КазімеÌÑ€ МалеÌвіч), (February 23, 1879, previously 1878: see below - May 15, 1935) was a Russian painter and art theoretician, born in Ukraine. He was a pioneer of geometric abstract art and the originator of the Avant-garde Suprematist movement.