Olga De Amaral

From October 12, 2024, to March 16, 2025, the Fondation Cartier pour l’art contemporain in Paris is hosting a monumental retrospective of Colombian artist Olga de Amaral. This exhibition, the first major European showcase of de Amaral’s work, brings together nearly eighty pieces spanning from the 1960s to the present day, many of which are being displayed outside of Colombia for the first time.

What I liked about Olga De Amaral Exhibition in Paris?

- Early Works: Delve into de Amaral's initial forays into textile art, where she experimented with natural fibers and dyes, laying the foundation for her future innovations.​

- Gold Leaf Masterpieces: Witness the iconic pieces that feature intricate weavings adorned with gold leaf, reflecting her fascination with light and its interplay with materials.​

- Monumental Installations: Experience large-scale works that transform the gallery space, inviting viewers to engage with art in a multi-dimensional context.​

- The interplay of light, vibrant colors, rich materials, and masterful composition in Olga de Amaral's work makes it truly breathtaking.

Olga de Amaral: Weaving a Legacy

Born in Bogotá, Colombia, Olga de Amaral has been a transformative figure in contemporary art, particularly in the realm of fiber art. Her innovative approach intertwines traditional textile techniques with modern artistic expressions, creating works that transcend conventional categorizations. De Amaral’s art is renowned for its vibrant use of materials, including gold leaf, which infuses her pieces with a luminous and ethereal quality.

The Exhibition: A Journey Through Time and Texture

The retrospective at Fondation Cartier offers visitors an immersive experience into de Amaral’s artistic evolution. The exhibition is thoughtfully curated to highlight the diversity and depth of her work, from her early explorations in textile art to her monumental installations that challenge spatial perceptions.

Basement: Artistic explorations of Olga De Amaral

The basement spaces showcase the richness of Olga de Amaral’s explorations over the past five decades, from her earliest works of the 1960s to her most recent creations.

The exhibition is organized chronologically and thematically, embracing the legacy of modernism and the Bauhaus, experiments with techniques and materials, the pursuit of light, textiles as a language and, finally, the kinship with the natural world and the Colombian landscape.

Liberated from the wall, the works of art shape the space and the path followed by visitors.

Textiles have long been considered primarily as decorative elements, but Olga de Amaral and the entire Fiber Art movement have continually made it possible for textile works to assert their autonomy, becoming walls, columns, buttresses and portals. They trace lines, define spaces, and create architecture in their own right. The spiral motif, found in some of Olga de Amara’s works such as Núcleo I (Core I), was the inspiration for the layout of this first room.

It is a symbol of fecundity, of the infinite movement of life and creation, accompanying and guiding us to the last room, where Estelas, the pinnacle of her work, welcome contemplation and meditation

The Legacy of Modernism

In 1954, Olga de Amaral left Colombia to study at the Cranbrook Academy of Arts in the United States. Influenced by the German Bauhaus, the academy’s approach emphasized breaking down the divide between artist and artisan. It was here that Olga de Amaral discovered textile design and weaving, sparking her deep interest in color. She pushed the boundaries of materials, composition, and geometry, creating intricate woven structures like *Entrelazados* (Interlaced), composed of intertwining strips of various colors and thicknesses. At the same time, she began incorporating new materials into her works, such as the combination of wool and horsehair in *Elementos rojo en fuego* (Red Elements on Fire).

Weaving, braiding, knotting, experimenting

In the 1970s, Olga de Amaral experimented with new materials and techniques to move beyond the flatness traditionally associated with textiles. She wove, braided, and at times coiled or knotted threads of linen, wool, horsehair, and even plastic, as seen in *Luz blanca*. *Encalado en laca azul* (Whitewashed in Lime and Blue Lacquer) consists of purple and orange rectangular strips sewn together in a dense, irregular pattern on a woven cotton backing. The ends of these strips are painted in a vivid turquoise, evoking the colors of Pre-Columbian feather art. 

The *Lienzos ceremoniales* (Ceremonial Cloths) are crafted with braided threads, supported by a two-dimensional textile structure. The use of color and gold leaf creates a clear division within the space of the work, referencing the geometric patterns of certain Pre-Columbian Inca ponchos.

Brumas

Started in 2013, the *Brumas* (Mists) series now includes 34 works, 23 of which are displayed in this room. In 2018, the Fondation Cartier showcased an initial set of six pieces from this series in the exhibition *Southern Geometries, from Mexico to Patagonia*. 

Composed of thousands of cotton threads coated with gesso and finished with acrylic paint, *Brumas* serve as metaphorical representations of water and air. Suspended in space and cascading like fine rain, they form colorful geometric shapes that are reflected in the glass walls. With this series, Olga de Amaral transcends traditional weaving, creating works where the cotton threads are merely coated rather than intertwined or woven.

Created more than fifteen years earlier, *Bosque I* and *Bosque II* (Forest I and Forest II) illustrate the process that led to the *Brumas* series and mark a pivotal moment in the transition from flat planes to three-dimensionality.

Main Room Fondation Cartier Olga de Amaral Exhibition

Visiting Fondation Cartier

Located at 261 Boulevard Raspail in the 14th arrondissement of Paris, the Fondation Cartier is easily accessible by various modes of transportation.​

How to Get There

• By Metro: The nearest metro stations are Raspail (Lines 4 and 6) and Denfert-Rochereau (Lines 4 and 6, RER B).​
• By Bus: Bus lines 38 and 68 have stops close to the Fondation Cartier.​
• By Car: While parking in Paris can be challenging, there are public parking facilities nearby. It’s advisable to check availability in advance.​

Admission and Tickets

• General Admission: Tickets can be purchased online or at the venue. It’s recommended to book in advance, especially during peak times.​
• Guided Tours: The Fondation Cartier offers guided tours for groups up to 25 people from Wednesday to Friday at 10 a.m. Reservations must be made at least two weeks in advance.
• Architectural Tours: Explore the Jean Nouvel-designed building through guided tours available during the week. Reservations are required.

Amenities

• Garden Access: Visitors with an exhibition ticket can enjoy the Fondation’s garden, a serene space that complements the artistic experience. 
• Refreshments: A refreshment bar is available in the garden, open depending on the weather. 
• Bookstore: A selection of art books and exhibition-related publications are available for purchase.​

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