Photo courtesy of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston opened a returning exhibit on Sunday Mar. 8, 2026, titled “Ernesto Neto: SunForceOceanLife.” The exhibit was created by Brazilian artist Ernesto Neto and is currently featured in Cullinan Hall.
The immersive structure spanning 12 feet into the air was a major art commission in 2019, and is one of Neto’s largest crochet works to date.
“Ernesto Neto: SunForceOceanLife” is a 6,000lb interactive hanging crochet environment that took six years to make. The artwork is the shape of a spiral, hand woven into patterns and sewn together.
“This singular commission reflects our commitment to Latin American artists and to engaging our visitors in unique art experiences,” states Gary Tinterow, Director, the Margaret Alkek Williams Chair, MFAH.
Quote courtesy of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
The red, orange, and yellow colors pay homage to the Sun, which enables all life on Earth. Therefore, the artwork is a gesture of thanks to the energy generated from the Sun, as it touches our land, oceans and lives.
Photo courtesy of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
Moreover, when asked about the physicality of the crochet structure, exhibit participant Jason Woods stated that “It’s very intricate, I’ve seen people crochet on a smaller scale so to see something this massive is very intriguing. It does feel very comforting.”
Conversely, materials included in the exhibit like sand, crochet and shells engage sensual perception of the natural, and spiritual world.
“Ernesto Neto created this site-specific piece as a tribute to the life-giving forces of the sun and the ocean. Inspired by crochet, the piece engages the body and the mind,” says Mari Carmen Ramírez, Wortham Curator of Latin American Art, MFAH.
Quote courtesy of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
Check out “Ernesto Neto: SunForceOceanLife” at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston; Open now until Sept. 7, 2026.
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