Pre-Columbian textiles and three Brazilian women artists at Paul Hughes
This presentation lives up to its title, “Resonances,” orchestrating a thrilling dialogue between female makers across 1,500 years. Wiltshire, England–based Paul Hughes Fine Arts and Brazilian Gallery MAPA have collaborated on this eye-catching show which features pre-Columbian textiles with feathers alongside Brazilian artists Mira Schendel, Jandyra Waters, and Delba Marcolini.
Few passing by the booth could resist the pull of the large crimson Nazca tunic from ca. 600 C.E., made from camelid fibers with applied feathers, or a striped red, white and blue abstract tunic, both of which felt incredibly modern. (It was no surprise to learn that similar works have found admirers in artists Josef and Anni Albers, Brice Marden, and Sean Scully.) Juxtaposed with these tactile feather tunics and panels were bright geometric painted wood reliefs by Waters, a dress by Schendel, and a woven wall sculpture by Marcolini composed of agave fibers, painted cotton, sheep’s wool and rustic yarns.
