René Paul Barilleaux Retires After 20 Years at McNay, Survey Show Opens
After two decades at the McNay Art Museum, René Paul Barilleaux, the Head of Curatorial Affairs, has retired. In honor of his tenure, director Matthew McLendon curated the exhibition "untitled: 20 Years of Collecting Contemporary Art," showcasing 124 pieces. The display begins with Barilleaux's inaugural acquisition, Susie Rosmarin's "Blue (#267)" (2002), and concludes with his final piece, Margaret Evangeline's "Other Voices 3" (2006). Noteworthy works include Letitia Huckaby's "Koinonia" (2021), Vincent Valdez's "The Strangest Fruit 9" (2013), and Lesley Dill's "Paris Speaking Dress." Additionally, Katie Pell's "Charm and Weight" (2008) serves as the centerpiece of the sculpture gallery, influencing the McNay's upcoming 2025-2026 Spotlight education series. Barilleaux emphasized the importance of personal connections in museum work.
Key facts
- René Paul Barilleaux retired as Head of Curatorial Affairs at the McNay Art Museum after 20 years.
- The exhibition 'untitled: 20 Years of Collecting Contemporary Art' surveys his acquisitions.
- First acquisition: Susie Rosmarin's 'Blue (#267)' (2002); last: Margaret Evangeline's 'Other Voices 3' (2006).
- Barilleaux and Rosmarin graduated together from Pratt Institute in 1981.
- The show includes 124 artworks organized by artistic principles: line, value, shape, form, space, texture, color, pattern.
- Letitia Huckaby's 'Koinonia' (2021) was acquired with flexible display options.
- Katie Pell's 'Charm and Weight' (2008) inspired the McNay's 2025-2026 Spotlight education series.
- Marion Koogler McNay's legacy guided Barilleaux's collecting of atypical works by well-known artists.
Entities
Artists
- René Paul Barilleaux
- Susie Rosmarin
- Margaret Evangeline
- Niki de Saint-Phalle
- Letitia Huckaby
- Vincent Valdez
- Amalia Mesa-Bains
- Lesley Dill
- Steve Keister
- Richard Tuttle
- Vincent Fecteau
- Katie Pell
- Bygoe Zubiate
- Marion Koogler McNay
- Paul Cézanne
- Pablo Picasso
Institutions
- McNay Art Museum
- Pratt Institute
- San Antonio Museum of Art
- Glasstire
Locations
- San Antonio
- Texas
- United States
- Houston
- New York City
- New York
- Louisiana
- Fort Worth