Discovery of Hidden Works

The journey to this exhibition began serendipitously in 2016 when Mark Johnson, an art professor, was investigating electrical wiring in the attic of the San Francisco Art Institute. There, he uncovered a treasure trove consisting of fifteen artworks by Carlos Villa. Johnson recalled his surprise, saying, “The place was full of rolls of canvases. I said, ‘What the heck is this? Who’s been in this crawl space?’” This discovery sparked the joint effort between Johnson and co-curator Trisha Lagaso Goldberg to celebrate Villa’s contributions to the art world.

A Celebration of Artistic Influence

Opening last Friday, “Worlds in Collision” is a groundbreaking exhibition that highlights Villa’s diverse influence as an artist, educator, and activist. The show showcases Villa’s vibrant style, characterized by the use of diverse materials such as feathers, bones, and blood, which gained him acclaim during the 1970s.

Notably, this exhibition is the first major show dedicated to a Filipino American artist in a U.S. museum and also marks the Asian Art Museum’s inaugural retrospective focused on a local artist. Jay Xu, the museum director and CEO, noted this shift in mission: “We’ve added an equally important dimension — that is Asian American art and culture.”

Villa’s Artistic Journey

Carlos Villa was born in 1936 to Filipino immigrants in San Francisco. After earning his M.F.A. from Mills College in 1962, he initially moved to New York, where he engaged with Minimalism. However, Villa returned to San Francisco in 1969, feeling a strong connection to the city’s cultural movements at the time. He stated, “Carlos told me that he thought his mature work started when he came back to San Francisco,” reflecting on his commitment to his identity and community.

Redefining Art Education

The exhibition’s title, “Worlds in Collision,” is derived from a course that Villa taught at the San Francisco Art Institute. This course aimed at decolonizing art history and fostering appreciation for artists of color. His educational influence is an essential aspect of the exhibit, showcasing how he shaped the next generation of artists.

Exhibition Details

“Carlos Villa: Worlds in Collision” will run through October 24 at the Asian Art Museum, located at 200 Larkin Street, San Francisco. The museum operates from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Fridays through Mondays and 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursdays. Ticket prices range from $14 to $20, with more information available at the museum’s official website.

Additionally, a companion exhibition titled “Carlos Villa: Roots and Reinvention” is being held at the San Francisco Arts Commission Main Gallery through September 3. This gallery, located at 401 Van Ness Avenue, offers free admission and is open from noon to 5 p.m. from Wednesdays to Saturdays.