Michael Tracy: The Elegy of Distance Honors the Artist’s Legacy at the McNay Art Museum

SAN ANTONIO, TX (Aug. 27, 2024) – The McNay Art Museum will pay tribute to the late Michael Tracy with a compelling exhibition titled *Michael Tracy: The Elegy of Distance,* on view from March 1 through July 27, 2025. This exhibition marks a poignant moment in Tracy’s career, as it will be the final show curated with the artist’s direct involvement before his passing on June 15 at age 80.

This upcoming exhibition carries deep significance, especially considering the McNay’s long-standing relationship with Tracy. Fifty-three years ago, the McNay presented Tracy’s first-ever museum exhibition, *Seven Gold Paintings*, at what was then known as the Marion Koogler McNay Art Institute. Now, more than five decades later, the McNay will once again shine a light on Tracy’s work, cementing his legacy within the American art canon.

A Reflection on Tracy’s Legacy

*Michael Tracy: The Elegy of Distance* will survey approximately two decades of the artist’s career, featuring a curated selection of paintings, sculptures, and mixed-media objects. Many of these works, chosen by Tracy himself, have never been displayed publicly before. The exhibition will also include significant loans from private collections, allowing for a comprehensive exploration of Tracy’s artistic evolution. The diverse array of works invites viewers to engage with themes of faith, ritual, immigration, and the environment, fostering critical thinking and dialogue. Complementing the visual experience will be an original soundscape by composer Omar Zubair, adding an auditory dimension to the exhibit.

Organized by René Paul Barilleaux, head of curatorial affairs at the McNay, in collaboration with Christopher Rincón, president of the Michael Tracy Foundation and director of the River Pierce Foundation, the exhibition underscores the museum’s dedication to highlighting underrepresented voices in the art world.

“The McNay has a long tradition of elevating lesser-known, marginalized artists working outside of the mainstream art world,” said Barilleaux. “In Michael Tracy’s case, the McNay recognized him both at the beginning of his career and, perhaps more importantly, now at the end of his career when the mercurial winds of the art world have shifted away from the once-lauded artist. Although the artist withdrew from the museum and gallery ecosystem for years, the issues his work addresses have become increasingly urgent. The McNay’s exhibition will bring attention to this significant American artist’s work, introducing a new generation to him.”

An Exhibition Anchored in Power and History

Large paintings that stretch nearly ceiling to floor will anchor *The Elegy of Distance*. These pieces, made of thick paint, discarded supplies, sand, and other materials, reflect the desert landscape surrounding Tracy’s studios in San Ygnacio, Texas. Seven paintings from his *Speaking with the Dead* series (2013-2015) convey a visceral connection between decay and preservation, with layers of charcoal and black acrylic dominating the canvases. Another striking piece, *Cruz de la Paz Sagrada VII* (1980), stands over 70 inches tall and is adorned with Milagros, swords, rosaries, spikes, and other symbolic objects. Additionally, the exhibition will showcase studies and finished works from his *Gulmohar* series (2005-2010), inspired by the vibrant blooms native to India.

Tracy’s work has always grappled with profound and often controversial themes. His practice took on a uniquely personal dimension in San Ygnacio, a small Texas border town where he established his studio in 1978. Despite his international acclaim, Tracy’s unconventional methods, such as his 1990 Good Friday ritual burning of *Cruz: La Pasión* (1982-87), often alienated the town’s residents, many of whom were descendants of the original settlers.

A Timely Exhibition with Modern Resonance

Barilleaux notes that the McNay’s exhibition arrives at a crucial time. As society confronts issues like climate change, immigration, and evolving religious and cultural norms, Tracy’s work resonates more than ever. This exhibition offers a timely opportunity to revisit Tracy’s contributions to the art world with a fresh perspective.

“Given San Antonio’s diversity and its proximity to the US/Mexico border, the McNay has the opportunity to present an impactful exhibition to a large audience acutely affected by issues represented within it,” said Matthew McLendon, Ph.D., director and CEO of the McNay. “An exhibition of Michael Tracy’s work at this precise moment, so close to his passing, is especially poignant as it will serve to honor his lifelong dedication to his artistic practice and reinforce his critical contributions to social justice and the visual arts, squarely placing him as one of the leading American artists known to grapple with these issues and help us, the viewers, understand, process, and confront them in an informed and thoughtful way.”

Exhibition Support and Programming

*Michael Tracy: The Elegy of Distance* will be supported by the Arthur and Jane Stieren Fund for Exhibitions, with additional backing from the Flora Crichton Visiting Artist Fund, Semmes Foundation, Inc., and the Elizabeth Huth Coates Charitable Foundation of 1992. The McNay will also host programming for scholars and community members, exploring Tracy’s work within the context of modern-day concerns about the environment, border policy, immigration, and more. A free poster-size publication will be available, featuring images from the exhibition and a reflective essay by Rincón.

This exhibition promises to be a powerful and fitting tribute to Michael Tracy’s life and work, offering viewers a chance to experience the depth and complexity of his artistic vision one last time.