Mid-Century Modern in San Antonio
By JASMINA WELLINGHOFF, Editor-
Artist Val Alexander, who attended the opening of “Mid-Century Modern in San Antonio” at the San Antonio Art League Museum (SAALM) never saw himself as “modern.” A member of the Men of Art group that was active in the 1950s and 60s, he said he and his fellow artists saw themselves simply as contemporary artists. Holding the show catalog, he pointed to the title, shrugging. This is just a buzz word,” he said, referring to the “Mid-Century Modern” description.
Well, not exactly. Art scholar Katie Robinson Edwards, author of “Midcentury Art in Texas,” explained that the label is a historical name, given to the movement retrospectively. “Of course, they did not call themselves that back in the day.”
Looking at their collective work in this fabulous exhibit, one can clearly see the influences of modernism in painting after painting, and not just in style but even in their color palette, as pointed out by one of the curators, Nancy Kempf. Their images interpret their subjects rather than represent them, in styles that range from strong abstract expressionism to softer versions of abstractions, with Texas and Western themes often asserting themselves through jagged brush strokes and painterly boldness.
“These artists were looking inside themselves as much as outside at the world. There is a subjectivity to their work,” said Robinson Edwards. “Yet you can still see a lot of big sky in their abstract, very Texan landscapes.”
Although Alexander’s work is not in the show, many of his former, now deceased, comrades are represented, including Cecil Casebier, Bill Riley, Keith McIntyre, Chester Tony, Harding Black and others.
Spanning the period between 1940 and 1970, the exhibit features 64 works from the museum’s own permanent collection, accumulated over time through two distinct programs of the Art League, which is the oldest art organization in San Antonio. Starting in 1946, the Art League has sponsored an annual juried exhibition and competition, with one artist receiving the top Onderdonk Purchase Prize. The purchased works became part of the permanent collection. (Val Alexander was the winner in 1972.) Similarly, the Artist of the Year program added one new piece to the collection every year, explained Kempf.
The idea for Mid-Century Modern was sparked by current president and artist Lyn Belisle-Kurtin who realized that the museum must have a substantial treasure trove from that period. A thorough search through vaults and storage spaces yielded a bounty that Belisle, Kempf and fellow curator Vikki Fields “were overjoyed” to discover. “In fact, this is our second largest representative collection,” noted Kempf.
As a board member and professional curator, Kempf is eager to make more San Antonians and Texans aware of the museum’s riches. “SAALM is the best kept secret in town,” she said. “We need to get the word out. Lyn has done a great job with the new website and she has encouraged us to push the envelope on exhibits by doing cohesive, curated and researched exhibitions. We want people to know we are here; it’s a valuable resource, take advantage of it!”
While Men of Art was an all-male organization, the guys appreciated their female counterparts and often invited them to exhibit with them. Thus, the present show includes women artists, too, such as Amy Freeman Lee, June Kroll, Alice Naylor, Amelia Urbach, Mary Dell Scott, Mary Sloan, Helen Van Buren and Margaret Putman, who is represented by three paintings, including “Hopper,” a semi-abstract image of an industrial complex which Kempf said was one of her favorites.
Speaking of favorites, this writer was especially taken by Keith McIntyre’s work, Carl Embrey’s “Distant City,” Luis Eades’ “Parachutist (Night Jump)” and Casebier’s “Cathedral,” which, without looking like a church, conveys the vertical reach and elegance of an authentic cathedral as well as its somber dignity. And, upon some moments of reflection, you could discern intimations of additional, less tangible attributes.
This is an exhibit that you may want to visit more than once. “The show is magnificent,” said Robinson Edwards. “It’s mind-blowing what they have.”
It is interesting to note that artists from the same period also created works for the St. Luke’s Episcopal Church which was designed by architect and Art League member Henry Steinbomer. On June 28, a special visit to St. Luke’s is planned “to view art and architectural design.” Reservations are required: terrygpuckett@me.com or call 210-826-8210.
Mid-Century Modern, San Antonio Art League & Museum, 130 King William St., 78204; 210-223-1140. Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. (Photos: Lyn Belisle)