Beyond the Visible gives voice to long ignored work of Hilma af Klint. She was a visionary artist who created stunning abstract pieces long before the term actually existed. (In fact, the film even makes the bold claim that her work predates that of abstract hero, Wassily Kandinsky.) Spiritualism inspired af Klint, as well as modern science and the beauty of the natural world. She then began to create a series of large colourful pieces in 1906. They were unprecedented in the artistic community at the time. At Klint’s work was naturally game changing. But she was for years another voice in the world that art history forgot. That’s until modern, more inclusive critics recognized her work’s merits.

Halina Dyrschkan wrote and directed Visible. It recognizes the complexity of af Klint’s abstract work and her struggle amidst the noise of a male-dominated society. Af Klint was an adherent to a more theosophical approach to the medium. Thus, her work recognizes the physical world. One that has a deep spiritual connection with the mystery that lies underneath the scientific method. For af Klint, the natural world was not only something she studied. But she also had a way of viewing the world that has it roots in divine creation. As a result, her pieces provide an embrace of mystery. Our (and her) culture’s more empiricist mindset disregard that mysterious way of thinking.

In this regard, af Klint’s work as an artist was ahead of its time in any number of ways. For example, her use of shapes speaks to global spiritual understanding. In addition, her abstract depictions of the human form address the need for gender equity. Yet, af Klint lived in a world driven by a patriarchal narrative. So her work has gone largely ignored by the artistic community until recently. She remained committed to her work. But af Klint struggled for notices or support from the male artistic world of the time. Men refused to take her voice seriously simply because of her gender. (In fact, the film points out  one particularly damning review from a respected male critic. After that review, af Klint’s work ceased for almost four years. It suggests that his damning review may have caused her to walk away from her work at the time.)

The mistreatment of af Klint remains heart-breaking. But the greatest tragedy embedded within Visible extends much further than the neglect of one incredible artist. Much of Visible emphasizes the tragedy of missing the work of af Klint. But the flm also points out that her story is far from an isolated incident. Dyrschka’s doc names multiple others alongside af Klint herself. This naming, then, highlights the struggle for all women painters for recognition amidst the ‘boys club’ of the art world. Though there may be more willingness today to accept female voices in the art world.

But still, curators seem frozen in order to accept that there were women in the past. Women who were actively contributing to the conversation and even potentially starting movements themselves. In doing so, the film addresses the key issue that predominantly male perspectives tell the story of art history. One that refuses to re-frame their story in a more inclusive manner. Visible gives proper authority to af Klint’s work and voice. It then signals the need to take the work of female artists that have largely been ignored much more seriously. That work exists in order to bring greater balance to our understanding of history.

Like the art that Beyond the Visible displays, Dyrschka’s film uncovers the mystery of a woman whom history books forgot. Taking into consideration her sense of spirituality and inclusiveness, Dyrschka reveals a beauty to af Klint’s work that resonates today. What’s more, she highlights the many other women that have been left in the shadows. Doing so, she provides the opportunity for us to re-frame our understanding of art history. She gives rise to voices that have too often been muted by a male-dominated culture.

On VOD now and at the Hot Docs Ted Rogers Virtual Cinema until August 27th.