Tom Slick (1916–1962) is an important figure in San Antonio’s history. A legendary explorer, inventor, businessman, and philanthropist, he founded the Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research, the Southwest Research Institute, and the Mind Science Foundation, among many well-known accomplishments in his short life. Slick’s achievements as a collector of modern art, however, have been under appreciated. On exhibition 10 June through 13 September, 2009.
Georgia O’Keeffe – Sun Water Maine 1922 Pastel on Paper Collection of the Slick Family © Georgia O’Keeffe
Slick’s passion for scientific research, along with his interest in exploring natural phenomena and the life of the mind, indicate an openness in all things, including art and architecture. His world travels and his respect for different cultures also caused his collection to be international in scope.
Featuring over 50 paintings and sculptures, this exhibition reunites for the first time the works given to the McNay by the Tom Slick estate in 1973 with those held by his family in their private collections. Slick’s collection was formed from the mid-1950s until his death, during the time he was building a landmark contemporary house designed by O’Neil Ford as a setting for his art.
Among the iconic paintings in the Slick collection at the McNay are Pablo Picasso’s Portrait of Sylvette and Georgia O’Keeffe’s From the Plains I. Among the sculptures are major works by Barbara Hepworth and Isamu Noguchi. The family is lending additional works by all of these artists, as well as master works by William Zorach and William Baziotes, a fascinating group of contemporary British and Indian paintings, and figurative sculptures by Texas artist Charles Umlauf, among many others. The Tom Slick collection offers a rich and varied picture of the art of his time.
The McNay Art Museum Library has been central to the museum’s research activities since its founding in 1954. Built on a core of books from Marion Koogler McNay’s personal library, the library has grown to over 30,000 cataloged volumes, 20,000 files on artists and fine arts institutions, and other significant holdings.
Tom Slick: International Art Collector was organized by the McNay Art Museum. This exhibition is accompanied by an illustrated exhibition catalogue. Visit : www.mcnayart.org/
www.mcnayart.org
