The McNay’s Contemporary Collection
Letitia Huckaby, “Koinonia” (detail), 2021. Pigment prints on fabric, with wooden embroidery hoops and wallpaper. Museum purchase with funds gifted anonymously in memory of Madeline O’Connor, 2021.4. © Letitia Huckaby
“untitled” Traces Evolution of the
McNay’s Contemporary Collection Across Two Decades
“untitled: 20 Years of Collecting Contemporary Art” traces the evolution of the McNay Art Museum’s contemporary collection over the past two decades, presenting more than 100 works across painting, sculpture, photography, video and installation. The exhibition underscores the McNay’s dedication to contemporary art and celebrates the curatorial legacy of René Paul Barilleaux, former head of curatorial affairs. Over his 20-year tenure, Barilleaux played a pivotal role in shaping the Museum’s collection, overseeing the acquisition of more than 200 works before retiring in September 2025.
In a departure from chronological and thematic frameworks, “untitled” offers visitors a fresh, innovative way to explore the collection and discover new connections across media and time periods. Works are arranged according to the seven elements of art — line, shape, color, form, texture, value and space — along with the design principle of pattern, generating unexpected juxtapositions across media, generations and artistic approaches. Visitors will find works by established and emerging artists in the galleries and on Museum grounds. Many of the artists have ties to San Antonio and several have longstanding relationships with the McNay.
Exhibition Highlights:
Blue Beginnings. The exhibition opens with Barilleaux’s first acquisition for the McNay, Susie Rosmarin’s “Blue (#267)” (2002). The acrylic on canvas work entered the McNay’s collection in 2005 through a competitive acquisition process that presented several artworks for voting. Rosmarin’s work serves as a recent example of geometric abstraction, pairing precise mathematical formulas and deeply saturated colors for a subtle yet hypnotic effect.
Weaving Memory and Mourning. Letitia Huckaby’s “Koinonia” brings together photographs and wallpaper to confront the inequality African Americans face in the United States. “Koinonia,” Greek for Christian fellowship, features silhouettes of young girls to recall the 1963 16th Street Baptist Church bombing in Birmingham, Alabama that killed four children. The images rest on floral patterns that reference upcycled flour, sugar and cotton sacks that were used to create clothing and linen during the Great Depression. The embroidery hoops represent the enduring legacy of women’s work that is passed down through generations.
Creating Space. Barilleaux’s final acquisition for the Museum, Margaret Evangeline’s “Other Voices 3,” is one of two works in the McNay’s collection by the artist. The addition of “Other Voices 3” creates a meaningful link between the artist’s paintings that present the illusion of space and her signature gunshot works in which she punctures a metal plate with a bullet to create literal, tangible space. Evangeline also specializes in video, performance and installation art, drawing inspiration from her Louisiana background. She was the first woman to earn a Master of Fine Arts from the University of New Orleans.
Fan Favorites. The exhibition features several visitor favorites, including Ian Dawson’s vibrant, playful hippos “Henri and Henrietta,” bright pink and blue sculptures made from repurposed plastic trash bins, and Sandy Skoglund’s 1992 installation “The Cocktail Party.” By covering a group of partygoers and their venue in Cheez Doodles, Skoglund offers commentary on the artificial nature of American culture.
Accompanying Materials: An audio guide narrated by René Paul Barilleaux, former head of curatorial affairs, will offer deeper insight into the works on view.
