First Touring Retrospective of Visionary Colombian Fiber Artist Olga De Amaral Opens at MFAH This Sunday

First Touring Retrospective of Visionary Colombian Fiber Artist Olga De Amaral Opens at MFAH This Sunday

Brumas (Mists), 2013

THIS SUNDAY, JULY 25, the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston will present Olga de Amaral: To Weave a Rock, the first major touring retrospective of visionary Colombian fiber arts artist Olga de Amaral, who has been called an "alchemist artist" due to the experimental, genre-defying tapestries the artist is known to create, tapestries that often defy the confines of their medium due to their radical composition and use of material and space.


Co-curated by Anna Walker, the MFAH's assistant curator of decorative arts, craft and design; and Laura Mott, the senior curator of contemporary art and design at the Cranbrook Art Museum — Amaral's alma mater — the stunning and colorful exhibition will chronicle Amaral's career through four thematic sections that present a comprehensive survey of the seminal artist's sixty years of work.

"Amaral has developed a language all her own within the fiber arts movement through experimentation with the loom and her transformational use of materials," said Walker in a statement. "The MFAH has established the most comprehensive collection of her work in North America. It's a thrill to present these works alongside other important examples that exemplify her creative spirit."

Columna en pasteles (Column in Pastels), 1972

Lienzo en dos colores (Lienzo in Two Colors), 2017

Amaral, who has been a leading figure in the fiber arts movement for decades, eared an architectural drafting degree in her native Colombia before studying under the renowned Marrianne Stregnell in the mid-1950s while attending the fabric and design weaving program at Michigan's Cranbrook Academy of the Arts. After returning home to Colombia, the artist applied ideas gleaned from Stregnell — things like textile design's relationship with space and its potential as an architectural material — to create thoughtfully woven architectural works informed by her environment and deeply rooted in her Colombian heritage.

Not afraid to experiment, many of Amaral's works are made from unconventional weaving materials like horsehair, gold leaf and plastics and challenge traditional weaving methods through innovative plaiting, wrapping, coiling and warp manipulation.

"This retrospective allows audiences to see the six decades of my work side by side

for the first time," said the artist in a statement. "To have it open at the Museum of Fine

Arts, Houston is a great honor, as they hold leading collections in both decorative

arts and Latin American art in the United States.

"This retrospective and publication have been years in the making, and I feel they are a wonderful showcase of my life's work," she continued.

The exhibition, which includes some 50 works by Amaral, will be on display at the MFAH from Sunday, July 25 through Sunday, September 19 before traveling to the Cranbrook Art Museum in Michigan.

Art + Entertainment
Leadership in Action: CEO Theresa Roemer Credits Mother, Mentors and Mindset for Accomplishments

How did you get to where you are today? My journey to where I am today is built on a foundation of hard work, dedication, and perseverance. Every step along the way, I faced obstacles, but I approached each one with determination and a “never give up” mindset. Instead of being discouraged by challenges, I used them as opportunities to grow and improve. Consistency was key—I committed to showing up and giving my best effort every day. I also learned not to take “no” as a final answer. Instead, I saw it as a chance to push harder, adapt, and find another way forward. It’s this combination of persistence, resilience, and unwavering focus that has brought me to where I am today.

Keep Reading Show less

What is your mission? The Children’s Assessment Center (The CAC) provides healing services to over 6,300 child sexual abuse victims and their families each year. We offer forensic interviewing, family advocacy, mental health services, medical care, and court services at no cost. We facilitate community outreach and prevention training to raise awareness about child abuse in our community and how to keep children safe. Last year, we provided prevention training to over 35,000 community members, including 23,500 children in schools.

Keep Reading Show less

What year was your organization launched? Urban Harvest’s Saturday Farmers Market started in 2004 with just seven vendors, providing an outlet for local farms, community and backyard gardeners to sell fresh produce harvested directly from their soils. Now in its 20th year, the market has grown to be one of the largest markets in Texas, supporting over 100 local farmers, ranchers, and food artisans all from within 180 miles of Houston. The market draws 3,000 customers every Saturday morning and includes many original vendors like Animal Farm, Atkinson Farms, and Wood Duck Farm.

Keep Reading Show less