Secondary is an annual group exhibition featuring works of art from the private collections of professional artists and curators in Austin. Secondary gathers art enthusiasts to stimulate dialogue about investing in living artists and the collectors market in Central Texas. The exhibition also lends itself as an educational template about collecting and investing in artists. Why buy one work over another? What contemporary artists are popular here in Texas?
The inaugural exhibition for Collecting Texas, Secondary 2022 was held at Bolm Arts during Big Medium’s EAST and curated by Casey Alfstad, Christine Gwillim, and Hayley Labrum Morrison.
Artwork Checklist
A Call to Tomorrow's Ghosts
2018
Maja Ruznic
Oil on canvas
23 ½ x 20 inches
Courtesy of Elizabeth Chapin
NFS
“If work moves me, makes my insides feel funny, and I can afford it, I buy it.”
- Elizabeth Chapin, Artist
Wild Tongues
2022
Xandra Ibarra
Screenprint
12 ¾ x 16 ⅞ inches
Courtesy of Michael Anthony García
NFS
“I collect work as a way of taking part in the conversation that we as artists need to have with each other, as a sign of respect for artists who I find connection with (as we all hope others connect with our work,) and as a means of financially supporting the studio practices of my peers when I can. I now find myself exploring ways in which I can produce works outside of my performance and conceptual practices to reciprocate the conversation by having works that can also be collected by other artists.”
- Michael Anthony García, Artist
Crevice
2019
Erin Cunningham
Cast plaster
4 ¾ x 6 ⅞ x 2 ¾ inches
Courtesy of Emmy Laursen and Tim Schmidt
NFS
“Collecting work by friends and artists I love is a direct way I can show support and invest in artists’ practice. As artists ourselves, trades are a common way to exchange work with friends. That was definitely the foundation of our collections. At first it started as all small works (like the one included in the show) because I lived in a studio alone and that created the scale limitation. Now that I live in a house, we can stretch our collection.”
- Emmy Laursen, The Contemporary Austin
Gush
2021
Tsz Kam
Acrylic and gouache on paper mounted to panel
24x18 inches
Courtesy of Kevin Ivester
NFS
“Collecting is a form of expression, looking at artwork around my home is a way for me to self reflect on a daily basis, it gives me an opportunity to support artists I believe are doing important work, and it simply makes my home a more enjoyable place to be.”
- Kevin Ivester, Ivester Contemporary
Gratiot Kings
2021
Alexis Pye
Oil paint, pastel, and stick on primed stretched canvas
36 x 48 inches
Courtesy of Mueni Loko Rudd
NFS
“I collect work from artists I value and respect partly because of my taste and partly because of the cultural preservation. The art seen on the walls in my home come from Black and other people of color. If I have the honor to work with an artist, amplify their work and sometimes sell their work that’s great too.”
- Mueni Loko Rudd, Martha’s Contemporary
Hidden Around the Cistern
2021
Jesus Treviño
Oil on burnt panel
24 x 24 inches
Courtesy of Tiffany K. Smith & Adam Wood
NFS
“We collect art that evokes a feeling, and because we want to support local emerging artists as much as possible.”
- Tiffany K. Smith, Artist
Purple Hearts
2019
Jenaro Goode
oil on canvas board
11 ¼ x 18 ⅞
Courtesy of Ricky Morales
NFS
“See it want it buy it own it”
- Ricky Morales, Martha’s Contemporary
Untitled (self-portrait)
ca. 2003
Vincent Valdez
lithograph on paper, signed and numbered 30/40
16x20 inches
Courtesy of Sara Vanderbeek
NFS
“I collect art for so many reasons – foremost is that I love each work. Art improves my mental well-being and enriches and beautifies my home. It brings joy and meaning to my life. It has endless intrinsic value and it is also a reliable asset. And it's always a great conversation starter.
My collection includes a lot of prints because they are an accessible way for me to collect on a limited budget. I also have a BFA in Printmaking from RISD so have a special interest in and love for the ancient processes and artists who choose to make work in this way, keeping the craft alive. I also love the proletariat/art-for-the-people attribute of prints and that they are often employed in political and activist campaigns.”
- Sara Vanderbeek, Artist, Dorf Gallery
The Last Word
2018
Gabe Langholtz
24 x 24 inches
Acrylic and charcoal pencil on canvas
Courtesy of Vy Ngo
“As an artist, I understand the importance of how collecting art creates connection, inspiration, and the desired energy within a room, home, or space. I also strongly believe in supporting your art community as a place of gratitude and creating opportunities for others. That’s why whenever I sell a piece, I buy a piece. My collection mostly comprises of Texas artists whom I admire and whose work is deeply personal to them and me.”
- Vy Ngo, Artist
Elmo
2018
Alexis E. Mabry
Found object and acrylics on fabric
55 ½ x 31 inches
Courtesy of David Wright
NFS
“I collect art to put my finger on a place and moment in time. As art becomes a clear indicator of the world we are in and the culture we are surrounded with, bringing new works into my collection gives me an opportunity to hold onto that moment for a little longer.”
- David Wright, Artist
The woman crawls in, the woman crawls out
2021
Cort Hartle
Acrylic on wood
24 x 18 inches
Courtesy of Coka Treviño
NFS
bodysurfer
2016
Drew Liverman
Oil on towel
11 x 14 Inches
Courtesy of Sean Gaulagher
NFS
Description of Constantin Brancusi’s 'Sculpture for the Blind (c.1920)
2017
Lenka Clayton in collaboration with The Fabric Workshop and Museum, Philadelphia
Braille-Print, Letterpress on Whipped Cream French Paper, ed. 46/235
11 7/16 x 7 ⅛ inches
Courtesy of Claire Howard
NFS
“I like supporting artists, having my friends' work, and living with art that has personal significance for me.”
- Claire Howard, Blanton Museum of Art
Special Hungers
2020
Gracelee Lawrence
Sculpture, open edition
5 x 6 x 5 inches
Courtesy of Virginia Luna Montgomery (VLM)
NFS
“As a working woman artist with a penchant for the surreal, the artwork I choose to collect similarly represents my own ethics, metaphysical interests, and complex life-experiences. I believe deeply in my creative community, especially women and non-binary artists who use their art practices as a proactive way to question material reality, find healing, embrace multi-displinary experimentation, and engage fellow creative community. Therefore, I do not collect artworks from artists with questionable social ethics, artists who use exploitative studio labor models, artists who don't actually make their own artwork, or artists who do not make the time to show up for others. As an artist (and collector), I think globally, but act locally. I believe being an active community member on a local level is critical to growing and sustaining a healthy arts ecosystem. I want all my artist friends to thrive and succeed! I want all of us to keep making art until we are grey-haired old witches like Louise Bourgeois. Therefore, I predominantly collect (and trade) artworks from witchy artists whose energy I wish to nurture and to keep close to me.”
- Virginia Luna Montgomery, Artist
Maria Magdalena
2013
MARCK
LED screen, iron, wood, glass, ed. 7/10
9 x 12 ¾ x 3 ⅝ inches
Courtesy of Casey Alfstad
NFS
“I buy art that I conceptually align with and that I also believe may prove to be a good financial investment in the future. I base this on my own intuition, art fairs, Instagram and my understanding of the artist’s trajectory. I’m intrigued by emerging capabilities and work that combines fine art with technology.
- Casey Alfstad, Artist & New Media Exhibit Designer
Passage
2022
Lauren Clay
Acrylic, cast hydrocal ed. 12/24
11 ¼ x 9 x 1 ½ inches
Courtesy of Hayley Labrum Morrison
NFS
“I collect art that inspires awe in me - whether it’s through ingenuity, aesthetics, technique, or conceptual bravery. The work I collect often contains elements I wish I had thought of or know that I could never have conceived of. ”
- Hayley Labrum Morrison, Artist
Voz de Los Apaches en Pinche Big Bend
2022
Cruz Ortiz
Oil, wax, and house paint on canvas
16 x 12 inches
Courtesy of Christine Gwillim
NFS
“I’ve always been fascinated by artists’ archives and homes, especially their personal art collections and correspondences with others, which encouraged me to start a collection of my own. I love learning about works of art, the stories that come with each one, and how they shape a new place. ”
- Christine Gwillim, Art Consultant & Designer