Boomerangs

Alexander Calder’s Boomerangs, created circa 1970, transforms one of the artist’s characteristic biomorphic motifs into a monumental hand-woven wool tapestry. Manufactured by Atelier Pinton in Felletin, France, the work belongs to a strictly limited edition of six and measures 86 × 50 inches (219 × 127 cm).

The composition is immediately recognizable as Calder: curved forms in vivid red, blue, yellow, and black appear to move across a light ground, creating a dynamic interplay of color, repetition, and balance. The boomerang shapes recall the visual vocabulary found throughout Calder’s sculptures and works on paper, where apparently simple forms generate a remarkable sense of energy and weightlessness. Here, the woven surface introduces an additional dimension, giving physical depth and warmth to his graphic language.

Produced by one of France’s distinguished tapestry workshops, Boomerangs illustrates the important relationship between leading modern artists and the French textile tradition during the twentieth century. Its large scale, strong visual presence, limited edition, and excellent condition make this rare Alexander Calder tapestry particularly compelling for collectors of modern art and important artist-designed textiles. This example comes from a private French collection.