Nearly eight years have passed since the Guggenheim Museum in New York showcased Swedish artist and occultist Hilma af Klint’s retrospective, “Paintings for the Future,” transforming the perception of abstract art history. The exhibition, which drew record attendance, elevated af Klint from obscurity in North America, recognizing her as a pioneer in abstraction sidelined due to her spiritualism and Theosophy ties. This attention sparked interest in sacred and supernatural themes, inspiring a feminist collective to challenge the neglect of alternative histories.
Artists and educators Dannielle Tegeder and Sharmistha Ray founded Hilma’s Ghost, an exploratory feminist and esoteric art collective. Though the idea began at the 2018 Guggenheim exhibition, it was realized during the COVID-19 pandemic as Tegeder and Ray, displaced from their Manhattan studios, engaged in discussions on mortality and alternative spiritualities. Tegeder, a Lehman College professor, has been involved in tarot and witchcraft since her youth, while Ray, from Carnegie Mellon University, intertwines her Bengali heritage with neo-tantric cosmologies in her art.
Hilma’s Ghost initially focused on examining the erasure of women and queer artists from art history. They held free online workshops, guided by experts in cosmologies, witchcraft, and tarot, to educate and demystify esoteric practices. These workshops celebrate marginalized voices and encourage a cautious curiosity and questioning of these traditions. Tegeder remarked to Hyperallergic, “We say that we’re believing skeptics,” highlighting the fear rooted in patriarchal and religious influences that still affects practitioners today.
The collective has gained momentum, especially as interest in tarot and esoteric practices grows. Over the past four years, Hilma’s Ghost has organized numerous workshops in various educational institutions across the U.S. Their collaboration includes projects like “Abstract Futures Tarot,” a tarot deck and artwork series that debuted at the 2021 Armory Show. The deck honors figures like Pamela Colman Smith and reflects a blend of geometric abstraction and esoteric symbolism.
Hilma’s Ghost’s influence extends beyond the studio; their “Abstract Futures” mosaic adorns Grand Central Station in New York, commissioned by the MTA Arts and Design program. Despite Ray being based in Pittsburgh and Tegeder in Brooklyn, their work continues to inspire through public events and exhibitions, such as their tribute to af Klint at the Guggenheim and ongoing displays at the Museum of Contemporary Art Tucson. Tegeder and Ray strive to uplift underrepresented artists, encouraging collaboration and research to uncover overlooked narratives.
