Austin Art Seen

Austin Art Seen, circa 1961 reexamines the Modernist movement in Texas art, the art form that gained popularity during the time AMOA-Laguna Gloria (formerly Laguna Gloria Art Museum) was chartered. Modernism was slow to develop in Texas, which was firmly tied to a naturalistic painting style rooted in regionalism for the first half of the century. However, several of the seventeen local artists included in this exhibition brought Texas Modernism to national attention in the latter half of the century. Each of these featured artists exhibited widely during their careers, many times at Laguna Gloria, and all had connections with the growing art department of The University of Texas. Created roughly between 1946 and 1969, many of the works included in this exhibition were first exhibited at Laguna Gloria. Although these works look surprisingly fresh today, when first seen, these bold abstractions, full of intense color and expression, effectively challenged ideas of regional art as they experimented with new forms and ideas to portray the world around them. Image: Michael Frary, King and Seven Knights, 1954, Oil on board, 35 x 45 inches, Collection of Mrs. Michael Frary -- Art Lover's Guide