Kazimir Malevich ( Kiev , 23 February 1879 - 15 May 1935 ) was a Russian painter and art theoretician . He was born in Ukraine of ethnic Polish parents . Kazimir Severinovich Malevich , ( February 23 , 1879 , previously 1878 : see below-May 15 , 1935 ) was a Russian painter and art theoretician , born in Ukraine of ethnic Polish parents .