Mina Klabin Warchavchik
Mina Klabin Warchavchik was a Brazilian landscape architect
known for designing modern and abstract gardens composed of plants native to Southern Brazil. She created gardens surrounding homes designed by her husband, Brazilian modernist architect Gregori Warchavchik.
Biography
Family history
Mina Klabin was the eldest daughter of Bertha Obstrand and, a Lithuanian-Jewish immigrant who fled the Russian Empire. Her father had purchased property in Lithuania despite a decree from Czar Alexander III barring Jews from owning any land.After being outed to the authorities he and other Jewish refugees made a long journey on foot to one of the Baltic ports, where he escaped to Britain. He later left for Brazil in search of better opportunities. Soon after his arrival in São Paulo, Freeman Klabin began working in a book making factory which he would later come to own. After reaching financial stability, Klabin was able to bring his then fiancé Bertha Obstrand and the rest of his family to join him in São Paulo. The Klabins would become a prominent São Paulo family, founding the stationery and supply company Klabin Irmãos & Cia.