Golden Horizons: Exploring Olga de Amaral’s Textile Masterpieces

"I live color. I know it’s an unconscious language, and I understand it. Color is like a friend, it accompanies me"

Olga de Amaral

 

At House of Hukäm, textiles are more than fabric—they’re chronicles of culture, identity, and artistry. Olga de Amaral’s work speaks this language fluently. Her latest exhibition at Foundation Cartier in Paris isn’t just a show—it’s a radiant tapestry of light, memory, and craftsmanship, pulling you into a golden world that feels both timeless and otherworldly.

The Alchemy of Threads

Let’s start with the obvious: Olga de Amaral doesn’t simply weave fabric—she creates realms. Over five decades, she’s pushed textiles beyond their utilitarian origins, layering gold leaf, paint, and natural fibers to transform them into powerful statements of art. Her pieces transcend traditional categorization; they’re not just to be seen, but to be pondered and felt.

“Gold is a living material,” de Amaral once said in an interview. “It carries light, it has energy. It transforms the ordinary into the divine.” And divine they are. Her shimmering works invite you to step closer, to lose yourself in the intricate interplay of light and texture. It’s as if she’s bottled fragments of the cosmos and unfurled them onto a loom.

Her Colombian roots play a significant role in her artistic vision. Drawing inspiration from pre-Columbian traditions, de Amaral crafts pieces like her “Estelas” (Steles) series, where vertical gold-dusted panels evoke the grandeur of ancient architecture. These works feel both monumental and intimate—like they’re carrying whispers of history while reaching for the future.

Foundation Cartier: A Gold-Dusted Wonderland

The Foundation Cartier, nestled in Paris’s chic 14th arrondissement, provides the perfect stage for de Amaral’s creations. Known for its bold and boundary-pushing exhibitions, the space becomes a luminous sanctuary for her works. Walking through the exhibition feels like meandering through a labyrinth of light—each turn revealing textures, whispers, and hidden stories.

Take her “Mantos” (Cloaks) series. These pieces transform the concept of textiles into something almost sacred. They feel less like garments and more like shields of identity and history. If you’ve ever wrapped yourself in a piece of clothing that felt like an extension of your soul, you’ll recognize the power these cloaks exude. They’re part history, part dream, all heart.

“My work is not about the object,” de Amaral explained in an interview. “It’s about the space it creates, the light it reflects, and the silence it holds.” This silence is palpable as you move through the exhibition, a kind of stillness that commands attention and introspection. Her works don’t shout for your gaze—they beckon.

Why This Exhibition is a Must-See

In an age of fleeting trends and disposable design, Olga de Amaral’s work feels like a necessary pause. Her pieces invite you to marvel at the craftsmanship, to slow down, and to reconnect with the beauty of materials and memory. They’re not just objects; they’re experiences.

For House of Hukäm, this exhibition is an affirmation of everything we hold dear: that textiles are more than materials—they’re vessels of identity, history, and emotion. Olga de Amaral’s work reminds us that fabric can transform, elevate, and transcend. Her golden threads feel like bridges between worlds—the past and the present, the earthly and the divine.

So, if you’re in Paris, make time for Foundation Cartier. And if you can’t make it, let Olga de Amaral’s philosophy inspire you to look at textiles differently. Because at HoH, we believe—like her—that fabric isn’t just fabric. It’s art, it’s alchemy, and it’s a story waiting to be told.

Credits:

• Quotes and insights from Olga de Amaral sourced from interviews with Foundation Cartier and archival footage provided by the artist’s studio.

• Exhibition details and pictures provided by Foundation Cartier, Paris.

• Olga de Amaral at Casa Amaral, Bogotá, Colombia, 2005