Above: Detail of “11th-Century Persia to 19th-Century America,” from “The Black God Tapestry,” Sandra M. Sawatzky, 2008-2017
Today many of us have become so accustomed to abstractions in contemporary art that any kind of figurative work comes almost as a shock. Yet, how are we to connect to the many non-human worlds that surround us if not through figurative imagery?”
Amitav Ghosh writing about Sandra Sawatzky’s “Black Gold Tapestry”
Through the years, I find myself increasingly drawn to figurative art. After wandering around the Blanton Museum of Art this past weekend, I realized those were the only pieces that caused me to pause and read the descriptive text accompanying them. The only ones I snapped pictures of to share.
The other unifying factor of these images is that all the artists are from North America. And all, save Mexican muralist Sequieros, are living, contemporary artists. Several I have been fortunate enough to meet or hear them speak about their works.
When we travel, we enter as many art museums as we can squeeze into our trip. Yet, when home in Austin, we often fail to make time to see the art available in our own backyard.
Above: Details of “11th-Century Persia to 19th-Century America,” from “The Black God Tapestry,” Sandra M. Sawatzky, 2008-2017
Above: “VOCHO VW Beetle Sedan,” Margarita Cabrera, 2004
Above, left to right: “Salve Regina,” Daniel Martin Diaz, 2004; “Fire Man,” Luis Jimenez, 1996-1997; and “Daughters of Wounds and Relics,” Dario Robleto, 2006
Above, left to right: “My Great Grandmother Clara Botello,” Kathy Vargas, 2001; “Among Women Only,” Louis Fratino, 2020; and “Western Union Maid,” Tony Ortega, 2008
Above, left to right: “Man Cutting Globe,” Vernon Fisher, 1995; and “By the River,” Radcliffe Bailey, 1997
Above, left to right: “Pier Review,” Don Colley, 1992; and a pair of untitled paintings from “The Strangest Fruit” series, Vincent Valdez, 2013
Above, left to right: “Cuauhtemoc,” David Alfaro Siqueiros, 1946; and “The Waiting Room,” Joey Fauerso, 2020
Above, left to right: “Petals,” Snohetta’s art installation/shade structures; and “Lady Lazarus,” Alison Saar, 1988, in “Fashionable Sticks,” Lamar Spencer, 2024
This is my pictorial reminder to take advantage of what’s right at hand. Both stick and art.
Postcards from Barton Springs 
I agree with you about trying to visit as many galleries as possible. We have just returned from Japan, which besides the Asian art you would expect, has remarkable
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