Born in Bogotá, Colombia, Olga de Amaral studied fabric design at the prestigious Cranbrook Academy in Michigan. Her in-depth knowledge of textiles and weaving techniques from around the world provided a foundation for her complex artistic practice that transcends fixed genres and artistic discipline. In this ravishing work, Alquímia 80, 1989, not only is de Amaral’s manual dexterity with conventional weaving techniques apparent, but the work is also a powerful example of her mastery of fine art principles like formalism and abstraction.

De Amaral’s distinctive sculptural textiles, like the one in the present lot, feature a meticulous layering of textured linen, coated with paint and gold leaf, resulting in intricate geometric compositions. While the arduous nature of her process is evident throughout, her chosen method of display—hanging these panels with separation from the wall—imparts movement and emphasizes the impact of light, instilling the works with an otherworldly quality.

The present lot embodies both the universality and timelessness of the artist’s practice, qualities that have made her one of Colombia’s most renowned visual artists and solidified her place in major, international institutions.