Texas in the Abstract

Selections from the Texas A&M University Permanent Collection and the Linda and William Reaves Collection of Texas Art

Aug. 22–Oct. 13, 2019

Gallery Talk and Reception, Sept. 25, 5:30 p.m.

Stark Galleries | Memorial Student Center, MSC 1110

Over much of the twentieth century, Texas forged an image as an independent-minded, albeit staunchly conservative, state at least in so far as social norms and politics go. Deferring to moderation, early Texas painters offered an abundance of pleasant and conservative fare through the opening decades of the preceding century. By the latter half of the century, however, Texas art in all its manifold forms proved to be anything but conservative! In the arts, a midcentury strain of Lone Star independence spurred robust, progressive streams of work that thrived within the burgeoning stable of home-grown artists. The results brought new forms of abstraction to Texas art, work more attuned to mystical and metaphysical properties of home, which would ultimately broaden and expand the public persona of Texas in art. In this exhibition, we examine the progression of abstract painting in the state as it advanced across post-World War II Texas, tracing the evolution of expressionist themes and highlighting examples of key Texas painters of the mid to latter 20th century.