Contemporary Responses to the Legacy of Hilma af Klint

Hilma af Klint (1862-1944), the first painter to devote herself entirely to abstract art, has only recently begun to be appreciated for the visionary intensity and innovation of the body of work she created. "The Legacy of Hilma af Klint" reproduces in its entirety a previously unknown 1920 notebook by af Klint, titled "Blumen, Mosse, Flechten" [Flowers, Mosses, Lichen] on the front cover, which lays out the artist's occult geometric extrapolations of nature, in diagrams and handwritten commentary (in German).

This volume's second part gathers responses to af Klint's work, both visually and in essays, by nine contemporary artists: Cecilia Edefalk, Karl Holmqvist, Eva Löfdahl, Helen Mirra, Rebecca Quaytman, Amy Sillman, Fredrik Söderberg, Sophie Tottie, and Christine Ödlund. The book is published on the occasion of af Klint's inclusion in the 2013 Venice Biennale, which has helped to bring greater recognition to her pioneering work in the field of abstract art.

Hilma af Klint's artistic journey was a unique and visionary one, as she was the first painter to fully commit herself to the exploration of abstract art. Her work, which has only recently begun to receive the widespread attention it deserves, is characterized by a powerful sense of geometric extrapolation and occult symbolism, as evidenced by the 1920 notebook that is reproduced in this volume.

The inclusion of responses from nine contemporary artists in the second part of the book provides a diverse and insightful perspective on af Klint's enduring influence and the continued relevance of her groundbreaking work. These essays and visual interpretations offer a deeper understanding of the artist's unique vision and the ways in which her pioneering approach to abstraction has inspired and informed the practices of later generations of artists.

The publication of "The Legacy of Hilma af Klint" serves as an important milestone in the ongoing recognition and appreciation of this remarkable artist's contributions to the history of art. By bringing together a comprehensive presentation of her work and the reflections of contemporary practitioners, this volume offers readers a compelling and multifaceted exploration of af Klint's enduring legacy and the lasting impact of her visionary approach to abstract art.

product information: