“Deeply engaging.” —Los Angeles Times

Golden Worlds: The Portable Universe of Indigenous Colombia showcases the diversity and brilliance of ancient Colombian cultures. The exhibition reframes the approach to ancient Colombian art and invites visitors into a cultural dialogue that spans both space and time.

From intricately cast gold pendants and hammered gold masks to ceramic effigies of fantastical creatures and rare ancient textiles, some 400 works span all the major Pre-Columbian cultures of Colombia. Landscapes, archaeological sites, and collaborations add important context to the objects and their timeless messages. Thematic sections center the voices and concepts of descendant Indigenous communities in the display and interpretation of the works.

With the European conquest, Indigenous cultures and knowledge—based on millennia of intellectual efforts—were largely cast aside. By drawing heavily on the involvement of contemporary Indigenous collaborators, Golden Worlds infuses these stunning works with life, meaning, and relevance for today and the future.