In the critical anthology edited by Bill Beckley titled “Uncontrollable Beauty,” the ideas discussed look at a reemergence of an aesthetic of Beauty, the relation of form, colour and content, a reevaluation of the sensual in art and the idea of nature as a reference for perfection or the sublime.8 Hungarian artist Ildiko Dobranyi’s work Grasses is beautiful and lush. She draws on a simple yet dynamic principle of complementary colour contrast to create an aesthetic and sensual experience, creating energy and vibrancy that is palpable.

Other works offer symbolic and commemorative possibilities; they seem to allude to ritual and to ceremonial involvement of textiles with the body and the spirit. Works like Olga Neuts’ Focus Southwest (figure 5) draw from a broader historic tradition and research base than the European tapestry and acknowledge the extensive multicultural history of tapestry making.

8 Bill Beckley with David Shapiro eds. Uncontrollable Beauty: Towards a New Aesthetic. Allworth Press, New York 1998.

next page

Save