For over six decades, Olga de Amaral, Colombian contemporary artist has pushed the boundaries between craft, sculpture, and painting, positioning herself as the most influential figures in Latin American fiber art. Olga de Amaral artworks, which blends traditional weaving techniques with gold leaf, gesso, and modern abstraction, resonates in global conversations around contemporary art and textile innovation.
A pioneer in textile art
Olga de Amaral textile art is far more than decorative craft; it is monumental, sculptural, and deeply conceptual. Early in her career, Olga de Amaral questioned the traditional role of weaving, transforming it from a utilitarian practice into a means of constructing space and light. Olga de Amaral textile pieces are often suspended, cascading, or standing freely in the room, altering the perception of fiber as a two-dimensional medium.
Her works defy easy categorization. They are at once textile, architecture, sculpture, and painting. This multidisciplinary approach places her alongside the world’s most innovative fiber sculpture artists, and firmly establishes her within the canon of modern fiber art pioneers.
Who is Olga de Amaral?
Born in Bogotá in 1932, Olga de Amaral studied architectural design before finding her true voice in fiber art. Her education at the Cranbrook Academy of Art in the United States exposed her to the global movements of modernism and abstraction, but she never lost sight of her Colombian heritage: Pre-Columbian symbolism, Andean goldwork, and the landscapes of Colombia appear frequently in her textile compositions, creating a dialogue between local culture and international artistic language.
Olga de Amaral’s influence has grown far beyond Colombia. Today, Olga e Amaral artworks are represented in major art collections such as The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), and the Art Institute of Chicago. These institutions recognize Olga de Amaral not only as a Colombian fiber sculptor but as one of the leading figures in the global textile movement.
Olga de Amaral materials and techniques
Perhaps the most distinctive aspect of Olga de Amaral’s work is her use of gold leaf. In the 1970s, she began incorporating gold and silver leaf into her textiles, creating radiant surfaces that reflect light in constantly changing ways. This use of precious materials links her work to the Baroque churches of Latin America and the ancient Andean civilizations known for their intricate gold artifacts.
In series such as Alquimias, Brumas, and Líneas de la vida, Olga de Amaral employs fiber and gold leaf not only as materials but as metaphors for light, memory, and spirituality.
Olga de Amaral’s creative process is as labor-intensive as it is intuitive. Each piece begins with hand-dyed fibers: linen, wool, or horsehair, meticulously woven into panels. Layers of gesso and acrylic paint are then applied, followed by the delicate application of gold or silver leaf. The result is a handwoven tapestry art piece that seems to glow from within, blurring the lines between material and immaterial, craft and fine art.
De Amaral has described her work as a form of meditation, where the repetitive actions of weaving and layering become a spiritual practice. This philosophy resonates with viewers, who often describe her installations as contemplative, immersive, and transformative.
Olga de Amaral exhibitions and global recognition
Over the years, Olga de Amaral’s textile installations have been showcased in prominent museums and galleries worldwide. Recent highlights include her retrospective at the Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA) in Miami and a solo exhibition at the Fondation Cartier in Paris. These shows presented a comprehensive look at her career, from her early woven wall hangings to her monumental large-scale textile installations.
In 2025, De Amaral reached a new milestone when her work Imagen Perdida 27 sold at auction for over $1 million, reflecting a growing international appreciation for Latin American fiber art. This surge in interest aligns with a broader trend: the increasing visibility of Colombian contemporary artists in the global art market.
Fiber art: Art trend in 2024/2025
Olga de Amaral’s career coincides with a renewed global interest in textile contemporary sculpture.
Her work also plays a crucial role in challenging Eurocentric narratives within the art world. As a Latin American female artist, Olga de Amaral’s career highlights the rich traditions of indigenous weaving and goldwork, presenting them through the lens of contemporary abstraction. This fusion of heritage and innovation defines the unique power of Latin American fiber art and serves as an inspiration for younger generations of artists.
In a time when the art world is increasingly interested in sustainability, materiality, and cross-cultural narratives, Olga de Amaral’s art feels more relevant than ever. Her commitment to natural fibers, her reimagining of traditional craft techniques, and her deep engagement with cultural symbolism position her as a visionary in contemporary art.
For American audiences, Olga de Amaral’s work offers both aesthetic pleasure and cultural depth. Collectors, curators, and art lovers alike are drawn to the tactile beauty of her gold-leafed weavings and the profound stories they tell about identity, memory, and place.
Where to experience Olga de Amaral’s work (Olga de Amaral exhibitions in United States)
If you are in the United States, you can encounter Olga de Amaral’s textile installations at several major institutions:
- Institute of Contemporary Art, Miami (ICA Miami): Recently hosted a major retrospective featuring her Brumas series, ethereal fiber works that play with shadow and light.
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York: Features her iconic gold leaf tapestries in its permanent collection.
- The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston: Houses several of her monumental fiber sculptures.
- Lisson Gallery, New York: Regularly showcases her latest works in the context of global contemporary art.
These venues present the perfect opportunity to witness first-hand the scale, texture, and luminosity of Olga de Amaral’s textile art.
