Exploring Spiritualism in Art: From Hilma af Klint to Modern Visionaries
Art and spirituality have long shared a profound connection, with creative expression often serving as a bridge between the material and the metaphysical. One of the most captivating examples of this relationship is the work of Hilma af Klint and her spiritualist group, The Five, whose influence extended far beyond their own time. As abstract pioneers, they explored the unseen forces of existence, blending art with mystical philosophies. But they weren’t alone. Across history, many artists have drawn inspiration from spiritualism, channeling higher consciousness, mysticism, and the supernatural into their work.
This article explores how spiritualism shaped the practices of influential artists, revealing the powerful role that mystical belief systems played in the development of abstract and conceptual art.
1. Hilma af Klint and “The Five” – Channeling the Unseen
Hilma af Klint, Group X, No. 1, Altarpiece (Altarbild), 1915. The Hilma af Klint Foundation, Stockholm. Photo: Albin Dahlström, the Moderna Museet, Stockholm
At the turn of the 20th century, Swedish artist Hilma af Klint collaborated with a spiritualist group called The Five, engaging in séances and automatic drawing to channel messages from what they believed were higher spiritual entities. Af Klint’s series Paintings for the Temple was directly guided by these spiritual experiences, incorporating geometric forms, symbolic colors, and a profound sense of cosmic balance.
Key Themes:
• Abstract symbolism inspired by Theosophy and Rosicrucianism.
• Use of circular forms, spirals, and duality as metaphysical symbols.
• The concept of art as a spiritual tool for enlightenment rather than personal expression.
2. Wassily Kandinsky – The Spiritual in Abstract Art
Wassily Kandinsky, often celebrated as a pioneer of abstract art, was deeply influenced by Theosophy and Rudolf Steiner’s spiritual teachings. His seminal text Concerning the Spiritual in Art (1911) describes how abstract forms could communicate deeper, non-material truths. Kandinsky saw art as capable of awakening the soul, with color and shape serving as tools to elevate human consciousness.
Vassily Kandinsky, 1913 - Composition 7
Key Works:
• Composition VII (1913) – A chaotic yet harmonious abstraction evoking cosmic struggle and creation.
• Improvisations Series – Inspired by music, each piece was meant to convey spiritual harmony.
Connection to Spiritualism: Kandinsky believed that abstract art could reflect inner truths and spiritual purity, a philosophy parallel to af Klint’s mystical explorations.
3. Kazimir Malevich – Mysticism Through Suprematism
Kazimir Malevich took abstraction even further with his Suprematism movement, focusing on pure geometric forms like squares and circles, stripped of any representational meaning. His iconic Black Square (1915) was described as the “end of painting” — a void representing spiritual transcendence and the search for the absolute.
Suprematism (c.1928) by Kazimir Malevich
Spiritual Connection:
• The use of pure geometry as a means to detach art from earthly concerns.
• Influence from Eastern Orthodox mysticism, where icons and emptiness convey spiritual presence.
4. Emma Kunz – Art as Healing Energy
Swiss artist and healer Emma Kunz (1892-1963) blended art and spirituality in her practice, creating intricate geometric drawings as part of her healing work. Believing in art’s energetic power, she worked with a pendulum to guide her creative process, producing works meant for spiritual and physical well-being rather than aesthetic appreciation.
Emma Kunz, Work No. 012., pencil on paper. Courtesy and photograph: © Emma Kunz Zentrum
Key Works:
• Kunz’s Energetic Drawings were never intended for galleries but as part of her holistic healing sessions.
Spiritual Connection: Her process of divinely guided mark-making echoes the automatic drawings created by The Five.
5. Agnes Pelton – The Transcendental Painters Group
Agnes Pelton (1881–1961), part of the Transcendental Painting Group in the American Southwest, created luminous abstract works filled with mystical light and symbolic shapes. Inspired by Eastern spirituality and meditation, her work explored inner visions and spiritual enlightenment.
Agnes Pelton. The Fountains. 1926.
Key Works:
• The Voice (1930) – A radiant, otherworldly image evoking the presence of divine energy.
Spiritual Connection: Like af Klint, Pelton viewed art as a portal for exploring non-physical realms.
6. Contemporary Echoes: James Turrell and Light as Spiritual Experience
Moving into the contemporary sphere, James Turrell continues this lineage by transforming light itself into a spiritual medium. His Skyspaces and Roden Crater project offer immersive environments where viewers experience sublime stillness, inviting contemplation of time, space, and infinity.
Key Themes:
• Use of light as a metaphysical material.
• Encouragement of direct spiritual experiences through minimalism and atmosphere.
Why Spiritualism Still Resonates in Art Today
The connection between spirituality and art continues to influence modern creators, particularly those drawn to abstraction, symbolism, and immersive environments. From the séance-driven works of The Five to Kandinsky’s quest for visual harmony, these artists challenge us to think of art not just as a form of expression but as a tool for higher understanding.
At Collectif, we celebrate art that connects deeper with human experience, pushing beyond the visible world into emotional and spiritual realms. Whether it’s historical pioneers like af Klint or contemporary visionaries like Turrell, the influence of spiritualism on art continues to inspire powerful works of self-discovery and universal connection.