2009 Texas Biennial 03.06.09
An independent survey of contemporary Texas art
March 6 – April 11, 2009
The 2009 Texas Biennial is the third of its kind since it’s inception in 2005. With each exhibition, the Biennial project has provided a fresh perspective on the scope of Texas contemporary art. The originators of the Texas Biennial have succeeded in culminating an initiative that voices the distinctive diversity of art making in Texas. In the same independent spirit as years past, the 2009 Texas Biennial will encourage conversations amongst artists, curators, writers and art lovers alike. This effort will ultimately spark a dialogue that will echo throughout the run of the 3rd biennial exhibition and beyond. As an independent survey of contemporary art in Texas, the 2009 Biennial is excited to use this opportunity to investigate current art making in Texas and promote the incredible innovation that lies within our great state. After careful deliberation of over 500 applicants from all over the state, our guest curator, Michael Duncan, has come to the final selection of only 62 artists. These artists will be showcasing their newest work this coming spring at the Mexican American Cultural Center Gallery and at Women and Their Work Gallery, in two complementary exhibits.
2009 Texas Biennial Curators
Michael Duncan is Corresponding Editor for Art in America and his writings have focused on maverick artists of the twentieth century, West Coast modernism, twentieth century figuration, and contemporary California art. His curatorial projects include surveys and recontextualizations of works by Pavel Tchelitchew, Sister Corita Kent, Kim MacConnel, Lorser Feitelson, Eugene Berman, Richard Pettibone, and Wallace Berman. In addition to his work nationally, Duncan has continued ties with Texas by participating in the 2005 Viewpoint lecture series at the University of Texas at Austin, contributing essays for the UT Press book, Melissa Miller, the catalog for Arthouse at the Jones Center’s 2006 exhibit, The Gospel of Lead: Dario Robleto and Jeremy Blake, and curator of 2007’s Art in the Metroplex at TCU, Fort Worth, TX.
Risa Puleo is the Assistant Curator of American and Contemporary Art at the Blanton Museum of Art. Prior to this position, she worked in various arts organizations across Texas such as Fluent-Collaborative, ArtLies, Texas Art Journal, Blue Star Contemporary Art Space (San Antonio), and The Station (Houston, Texas). She received her Master’s Degree in Curatorial Studies from Bard College, and she serves as Vice-Chair for the Austin Art in Public Places Panel.
