Colored Alphabet 1982

Here is the audio guide script: Sheila Hicks’ textile work, "Colored Alphabet," presents a grid of chromatic squares, a seemingly simple composition imbued with deep resonance. The square, a symbol of stability and order, appears across cultures, from ancient city plans to mandalas. Hicks' arrangement evokes a sense of structured harmony, yet the vibrant colors disrupt any rigid interpretation. Like alchemical symbols, each hue carries its own emotional weight and historical associations; red for passion, blue for contemplation. The grid format may remind us of illuminated manuscripts, where each letter was also a carrier of color and meaning. Consider the medieval practice of weaving tapestries, where threads of dyed wool formed narrative scenes, a tradition Hicks engages with modernity. This "Colored Alphabet" taps into our collective memory, stirring subconscious associations with order and chaos. It invites us to consider how these fundamental elements of human experience are woven together, just as the threads form this compelling textile.