Expanding Abstraction: Pushing the Boundaries of Painting in the Americas, 1958–1980

Description

Expanding Abstraction: Pushing the Boundaries of Painting in the Americas, 1958–1980

In the early 20th century, artists began exploring abstract, nonrepresentational forms for the first time and significantly changed the language of painting.  Several decades later, abstraction continued to evolve robustly, as its practitioners experimented with new materials and techniques. Dripping, pouring, staining and even slinging paint became common, as did the use of non-traditional media such as acrylic and industrial paints. Artists also challenged the flat, rectangular format—long the standard in painting—to create texture and dimensionality, blurring the lines between painting and sculpture and foregrounding the object’s materiality.  The Blanton’s collection is particularly strong in painting of the 1960s and 70s from both the United States and Latin America.  Expanding Abstraction will explore how painting was transformed in these decades.  Many of the works are large scale and have rarely been shown before.

Organized by Carter E. Foster, Deputy Director for Curatorial Affairs, Blanton Museum of Art 

Opens: October 4, 2020
Closes: January 3, 2021

To make special arrangements for your course, contact:
Siobhan McCusker, Museum Educator, University Audiences
siobhan.mccusker@blantonmuseum.org
(512) 471-7175
You may also visit the University Programs page and complete the online request form:
https://blantonmuseum.org/university-programs/

The Blanton Museum of Art has reopened with the safety of our visitors and staff as our top priority. Because of that, we ask that you stay home if you are feeling ill. We’ve made key changes to safeguard against the spread of COVID-19, including:

• Required timed tickets
• Masks required for visitors and staff
• Lessened capacity
• Social distancing on site
• Frequent cleaning

You can find more information about reserving tickets on the Before You Visit page.