Telling Art: Stories From the Permanent Collection

The art installed in the Singer Gallery is selected for two viewpoints.  These works of art depict examples of people, the likeness of an artist – either as a self-portrait or a portrait of another artist or person.

The art in an alternate view uses the artists’ perspective and explores the ideas of quietness, intimacy, discernment, or even a telling scene of a particular time and place. Thus, the viewer is free to decode and extrapolate from visual clues what is seen and what isn’t.

What is evident in the moment? What do the shapes, shadows, and textures come together to show us?

Many of these artists are working in Texas, or have, and their art reflects aspects of that experience. This show features some artists whose paintings utilize images and visual devices that are culturally historic, such as the large triptych by Stuart Diamond in the Paulson Gallery. Whereas the work of Ivette Olivares is dreamlike and gives the viewer much to consider visually.

A stage has been set, what stories does it tell?

The Museum’s permanent collection is a way to learn about the value of seeing and creating dialogue, if only between an artist and the viewer. This communication is also two-fold, exploring how the art is made and how the elements of line, form, color, and texture play a role in the various design methods.

Is it balanced and symmetrical? Or is it gestural and active, emphasizing a particular aspect?

These devices and methods give us clues to consider, and the impact is artful feeling and mood.