Olga de Amaral: Textile Art and Gold at Art SG Singapore
As Singapore strengthens its position as one of Asia’s most influential cultural and economic centers, Art SG Singapore has emerged as a crucial
08 January, 2026
Linen, gesso, acrylic and gold leaf
36.02 x 36.02 in
Gold leaf and acrylic on linen
78.74 x 17.71 in
Linen, gesso, acrylic and gold foil
61.02 x 39.37 in
Linen, gesso, acrylic and gold leaf
36.02 x 36.02 in
Gold foil and acrylic on linen
78.74 x 17.71 in
Linen, gesso, acrylic and gold foil
61.02 x 39.37 in
Gold foil and acrylic on linen
66.92 x 51.18 in
Linen, gesso, acrylic
76.77 x 37.40 in
Dyed animal fibers
78.74 x 37.40 in
Linen, gesso, acrylic, gold foil and silver foil
50 x 50.98 in
Amaral’s sensitivity has been what has allowed her to experiment. She creates her own language through the implementation of new materials, new fibers and new concepts, without ever leaving aside what characterizes her so much: the middle ground that she herself found between art, architecture and craftsmanship.
She was born on June 10, 1932 in an Antioquian family with five sisters and two brothers. She studied architectural design at the Colegio Mayor de Cundinamarca, which allowed her to come into contact with two disciplines that have been her points of reference: design and architecture. In 1954, when the new artistic currents were taking hold in Colombia, she left to study textiles and design at the Cranbrook Academy of Art in Michigan, which gave her a professional base for a practice that she had already appreciated in the Colombian peasants and that later has been her main means of operation in the international artistic field. After her return to Colombia, Amaral applied Strengell’s philosophies to her own weavings, which were also nourished by the local context.
She is considered one of the great pioneers of post-war Latin American abstraction: her works do not leave aside a historical milestone. Her use of gold is a way of uniting pre-Hispanic culture, colonial art and her contemporary work, as well as the use of unconventional materials, which fuse weaving with her urgency to give answers. It is therefore safe to say that her works are essentially unclassifiable and self-reflexively authentic.
Her art has been contextualized within the discourses of the Latin American avant-garde, the feminine renaissance of craftsmanship, fiber art, modernist abstraction and the search for new postmodernist meanings.
In 1971, she won first prize at the XXII National Artists’ Salon, which meant an opening of the country’s events and institutions to the crossing of languages and modes, which was beginning to manifest itself with the multiplication of formal options. In 1973, she was awarded the Guggenheim Fellowship and in 1972 the first prize at the Third Coltejer Art Biennial in Medellin, which showed the reception that her work had begun to have in circuits other than the decorative arts or handicrafts themselves. Olga de Amaral later made numerous exhibitions in different countries and has been characterized since the sixties for having a constant work, with a notable presence in international galleries and museums.
She has had close to one hundred solo exhibitions and has participated in more than one hundred group exhibitions in renowned institutions around the world. Her work is part of 24 permanent collections, including the Banco de la República Art Collection, the collection of the Musée d’Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris, the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Kyoto Museum of Modern Art. Two of her works are exhibited at the Miguel Urrutia Art Museum of the Banco de la República.
As Singapore strengthens its position as one of Asia’s most influential cultural and economic centers, Art SG Singapore has emerged as a crucial
Olga de Amaral was born in Bogotá, Colombia, in 1932 and has spent decades redefining the possibilities of fiber, weaving, and surface transformation
Olga de Amaral is the pioneer in transforming traditional weaving into a medium of contemporary artistic expression (known as textile art). The Colom
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Olga de Amaral is a renowned Colombian textile artist known for her innovative use of fibers, gold leaf, and architectural forms. A leading figure in modern Latin American art, her work blends painting, sculpture, and weaving, positioning her as a pioneer in contemporary textile art.
Olga de Amaral is best known for her monumental woven works that incorporate gold and silver leaf. Her pieces transcend craft and are celebrated as fine art worldwide, particularly in the context of Latin American modern art and fiber art movements.
Olga de Amaral’s artworks are available through leading galleries that specialize in Latin American contemporary art and through major auction houses like Sotheby’s, Phillips, and Christie’s. Works by Olga de Amaral for sale include rare pieces from her series like Alquimias, Brumas, and Umbras. If you are interested in Olga de Amaral’s artworks for sale, contact us.
The price of Olga de Amaral’s artwork varies based on size, materials, and series. If you are interested in more information, feel free to reach us.
Some of her most recognized series include Alquimias, Estelas, Umbras, Brumas, and Muros tejidos. These Olga de Amaral works are best known for their spiritual qualities and exploration of light, texture, and material.
Olga de Amaral has exhibited at top American institutions including the Institute of Contemporary Art Miami (ICA Miami), Museum of Fine Arts Houston, and MoMA in New York. Her recent retrospectives have significantly elevated her visibility in the U.S. art scene.
Yes. Olga de Amaral’s art is included in the permanent collections of major museums such as the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Art Institute of Chicago, and the Smithsonian American Art Museum.
Olga de Amaral combines natural fibers like linen and cotton with gesso, gold leaf, silver, and acrylic. Her technique merges pre-Columbian weaving traditions with modernist abstraction, creating a hybrid between textile art and sculpture.
Olga de Amaral is a foundational figure in contemporary textile art. Her innovative approach has redefined the boundaries between craft and fine art, making her one of the most important Latin American artists of the 20th and 21st centuries.
She studied at the Cranbrook Academy of Art in Michigan, where she was deeply influenced by modernist design principles. Her education in the U.S. played a key role in shaping her international career.
While not confined to a single movement, Olga de Amaral is often associated with fiber art, modern abstraction, and contemporary Latin American art. Her work is also linked to spiritual minimalism and material experimentation.
Olga de Amaral elevated weaving into the realm of fine art by transforming flat tapestries into sculptural installations. Her pioneering use of gold and light in textiles broke conventional boundaries and influenced generations of artists worldwide.
Yes, Olga de Amaral had a major solo exhibition at the Fondation Cartier pour l’art contemporain in Paris in 2024-2025. It her first major retrospective in France. The exhibition confirmed her international recognition and influence in contemporary art.
