New San Angelo Museum Exhibit Showcases Contemporary Native America

SAN ANGELO, TX — The San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts (SAMFA) was awarded $42,310 from the Art Bridges Foundation. The awarded funds will be applied to cover costs associated with the exhibit entitled, "In Conversation: Will Wilson, and related educational programming."

"In Conversation: Will Wilson" can be viewed from July 11, 2024 until September 15, 2024. The exhibit features the work of contemporary Navajo (Diné) photographer Will Wilson, together in a dialogue with the work of Edward Curtis, best known for his portfolios of romanticized photos published as The North American Indian (1907-1930).

Wilson’s Critical Indigenous Photographic Exchange (CIPX) project, on the other hand, is dedicated to creating a contemporary vision of Native North America. Wilson employs a wet-plate collodion photographic technique, based on the nineteenth-century method, but he pushes the CIPX project into the contemporary with the inclusion of “Talking Tintypes,” which use augmented reality (AR) technology to bring photographs to life. For Wilson, CIPX is a way to create new conversations and emphasize exchange over problematic documentation.

“We are thrilled to bring this exhibit to San Angelo,” said SAMFA Curator Laura Huckaby. “Our museum is committed to presenting a broad range of materials and perspectives in its encyclopedic exhibit lineup, and this exhibit is a powerful blend of contemporary art, photography, and history, presented though a combination of old and new technology by a Native American artist. Wilson’s work is visually stunning as well as relevant to the history of our community.”

"In Conversation: Will Wilson" is organized by Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. It was curated by Mindy Besaw, Curator of American Art/Director of Fellowships & Research from Crystal Bridges, and Ashley Holland, Associate Curator.

Art Bridges is the vision of philanthropist and arts patron Alice Walton. The mission of Art Bridges is to expand access to American art in all regions across the United States. Since 2017, Art Bridges has been creating and supporting programs that bring outstanding works of American art out of storage and into communities. Art Bridges partners with a growing network of over 220 museums of all sizes and locations to provide financial and strategic support for exhibition development, loans from the Art Bridges Collection, and programs designed to educate, inspire, and deepen engagement with local audiences. The Art Bridges Collection represents an expanding vision of American art from the 19th century to present day and encompasses multiple media and voices.

For more information, visit artbridgesfoundation.org. Here is a detailed discussion of "In Conversation: Will Wilson" on the ArtBridges.com website.
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Correction: Originally we reported that the exhibit was ongoing. This was incorrect. The show is scheduled for July 11, 2024 until September 15, 2024. The copy above was updated.