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Incredible! How did this female artist break through tradition and create mysterious geometric art?
In the history of Western art, Hilma af Klint is regarded as one of the first pioneers of abstract art. Her work transcended the artistic limitations of the time, blending spirituality and imagery, and explored many complex ideas and cosmic laws throughout her career. Her art is not only a visual feast, but also a journey of spiritual exploration.
Af Klint was born in 1862 into an artistic family in Sweden and showed artistic talent from an early age. She received formal training and a degree from the Academy of Fine Arts in Stockholm, which led to a career in traditional art. However, her creative direction began to change radically after the death of her sister in 1880.
“The abstract work and the meaning within it were so groundbreaking, the world was not ready to understand it.”
After experiencing a family tragedy, Af Klint developed a deep interest in spirituality and the meaning of life, which led him to Theosophy. Influenced by Theosophy, she began to explore how to express her connection to a higher power through art. Together with three other female artists, she formed a "Group of Five" to research the connection between spirituality and art, and held regular psychic sessions to seek communication with "high masters."
These spiritual experiences inspired her unique artistic style, leading her to create abstract works with geometric features. Af Klint's canvases are filled with circles, spirals and colour symbolism, with the use of colours such as blue representing the feminine spirit, yellow the masculine spirit, and red or pink reflecting the love between body and soul. Link.
“The paintings come directly through me, without any preliminary sketches, and with great power.”
In 1906, Af Klint began working on her first series of abstract works. The Temple Paintings is one of her most important works, covering 196 paintings, which as a whole present her interpretation of different stages of her life. These works are not only modern in form, but also reflect profound spiritual thinking in content.
Take the Ten Largest Paintings, for example, which explore different stages of life, from childhood to old age. Not only are the forms novel, but the colors also reveal a depth of emotion and spirituality, which makes her works not easily constrained by traditional definitions. Each work is a window to other dimensions, inspiring the viewer to think about existence.
“My work is more than just colors on a canvas; it explores the profound connection between the spiritual and the physical.”
Until her death in 1944, Af Klint's work received little attention during her lifetime, and she even requested that it not be exhibited for 20 years after her death. This decision, after the ban on her works was lifted, made future generations marvel at her foresight and realize that she was one of the most forward-looking artists of the early 20th century.
Decades after her death, Hilma af Klint’s art has been re-evaluated and exhibited in major international art galleries, attracting large audiences. In particular, in 2019, the exhibition "Hilma af Klint: Paintings for the Future" held at the Gegenheim Museum set a record number of visitors, further consolidating her position as a pioneer of abstract art.
Af Klint’s work has also appeared in films, operas and literature, and continues to inspire contemporary artists and creators. In her back, we can feel a strong sense of female power and desire for spiritual exploration. In a unique way, she pushes the boundaries between art and spirituality, showing a greatness in life that seems locked in geometry.
As we consider her artistic legacy, we can't help but ask: How can we continue to expand our understanding of spirituality and art in today's world?
