San Antonio Art Initiative
San Antoino Art Initiative
SAMA acquired nine artworks by eight San Antonio–based artists as part of an initiative that was developed to support the city’s visual artists and reflect the vibrancy of our community and its rich cultural landscape. All of the artworks, which include textiles, painting, photography, prints, and sculpture, mark first entries by the artists to SAMA’s collection. The artists were chosen with the support of an Advisory Committee that was chaired by Katherine Moore McAllen, PhD and Dacia Napier, MD, and comprised of San Antonio-based visual artists, professors, collectors, arts leaders, and Museum staff and Trustees. View these new works in the Contemporary II Gallery through June 26, 2022, and hear more from the artists at samuseum.org/learn.
Jennifer Ling Datchuk (American, born 1980)
Enter the Dragon, 2020
Porcelain, ceramic decals from Jingdezhen, China, wood, gold mirrors
65 × 16 × 5 in. (165.1 × 40.6 × 12.7 cm)
San Antonio Museum of Art, Purchased with The Brown Foundation Contemporary Art Acquisition Fund and funds provided by Dr. Katherine Moore McAllen, Dr. Dacia Napier, Edward E. (Sonny) Collins III, and The Sheerin Family, 2021.2
Jenelle Esparza (American, born 1985)
Continent, 2017
72 × 100 in. (182.9 × 254 cm)
Handmade quilt, recycled fabric and clothing, embroidered blocks, batting, cotton blends
San Antonio Museum of Art, Gift of Zoe A. Diaz, 2021.8
Joe Harjo (Muscogee Creek, born 1973)
The Only Certain Way: Faith, 2019
24 Pendleton beach towels, 24 custom memorial flag cases
78 × 104 × 4 in. (198.1 × 264.2 × 10.2 cm)
San Antonio Museum of Art, Purchased with The Brown Foundation Contemporary Art Acquisition Fund and funds provided by Dr. Katherine Moore McAllen, Dr. Dacia Napier, Edward E. (Sonny) Collins III, and The Sheerin Family, 2021.3
Jon Lee (American, born South Korea, 1968)
O1701, 2017
Woodcut
17 × 12 in. (43.2 × 30.5 cm), each
San Antonio Museum of Art, Purchased with The Brown Foundation Contemporary Art Acquisition Fund and funds provided by Dr. Katherine Moore McAllen, Dr. Dacia Napier, Edward E. (Sonny) Collins III, and The Sheerin Family, 2021.4.1-2
Chris Sauter (American, born 1971)
Shape of the Universe, Kandariya Mahadeva, 2013
Cut acrylic mounted photography, Sintra
60 × 30 in. (152.4 × 76.2 cm)
San Antonio Museum of Art, Purchased with The Brown Foundation Contemporary Art Acquisition Fund and funds provided by Dr. Katherine Moore McAllen, Dr. Dacia Napier, Edward E. (Sonny) Collins III, and The Sheerin Family, 2021.5
Ethel Shipton (American, born 1963)
The Valley - RGV, 2021
Archival digital prints on Hahnemühle German Etching Matte paper
Series of 6 prints, Edition 1/8
24 × 36 in. (61 × 91.4 cm), each
San Antonio Museum of Art, Purchased with The Brown Foundation Contemporary Art Acquisition Fund and funds provided by Dr. Katherine Moore McAllen, Dr. Dacia Napier, Edward E. (Sonny) Collins III, and The Sheerin Family, 2021.6.a-f
Naomi Wanjiku Gakunga (Kenyan, b. 1960)
Itoonyero - Entrances, 2013
Sheet metal and stainless steel wire
89 x 55 in. (226.1 x 139.7 cm)
Purchased with funds provided by The Brown Foundation Contemporary Art Acquisition Fund and
Dr. Dacia Napier
Photography by Lee Bennack
© Naomi Wanjiku Gakunga
Liz Ward (American, born 1959)
Ghosts of the Old Mississippi: Dismal Swamp/Northern Lights, 2015
Watercolor, gesso, silverpoint, pastel, and collage on paper
71 5/8 × 31 7/8 in. (181.9 × 81 cm)
San Antonio Museum of Art, Purchased with The Brown Foundation Contemporary Art Acquisition Fund and funds provided by Dr. Katherine Moore McAllen, Dr. Dacia Napier, Edward E. (Sonny) Collins III, and The Sheerin Family, 2021.7
