The new layer of paint on Lionel Sosa’s painting “Proud” is dry, but students are still talking about the decision to paint a shirt over the chest area of an African-American woman, after a complaint was raised by one student who said the painting was too revealing.
“Ladies at A&M-San Antonio take pride in how we come to school,” education junior Paulette Johnson said describing how the painting “Proud” did not resonate with her.
The original painting, installed the week of Jan. 9, displayed the torso of an African-American woman wearing a low-cut white collared jacket that revealed the woman’s cleavage.
“It was offensive with all her breast hanging out, and all the other portraits had their clothes on,” Johnson said.
Johnson, an African-American student, said she took her complaint to the Office of the President Jan. 17 -— the first week of spring term — to voice her concerns. She said she spoke with Jan Mundine, executive assistant to the president, about the painting.
While President Maria Hernandez Ferrier was in a meeting, Johnson said she and Mundine walked to the location of the painting and observed the portrait.
“I thought, ‘She is a beautiful woman,’” Mundine said. “It’s art, but I respected Ms. Johnson’s opinion.”
Mundine said she and Johnson also walked to another painting of an African-American woman located on third floor and asked how she felt about that particular painting. Johnson had no criticism of the art.
Mundine relayed the student’s concern and complaint to Ferrier.
After hearing Johnson’s concerns, Ferrier said she felt that it was in the best interest to let artist Lionel Sosa know that the painting “was a little too risque for our University.”
On Jan. 17, the same day Johnson first voiced her concerns, Ferrier asked Sosa to modify the portrait. Sosa came in that evening.
“I aim to please,” Sosa said Feb. 2 in a phone interview. “I was happy to modify the painting to keep within the context and culture of the University.”
Mundine called Johnson the next day to let her know the painting was modified.
Johnson said she felt that everyone was happy with the modifications, and not just African-American women, but all women at A&M-San Antonio.
Sosa said that he paints portraits around the nation, and felt that “Proud” represented an African-American woman who is sure of herself, has a positive outlook and shows inner and outer beauty.
“We appreciated being invited by Dr. Ferrier and to have us part of the University,” Sosa said. “We respect the A&M tradition, culture, and are happy to be invited back to the campus.”
The request to alter Sosa’s original work based one one student’s complaint stirred response at Main Campus.
One student could not believe the artist was asked to make changes to his own painting.
“Art is suppose to have different angles,” communications and sociology junior Priscilla Leyva said. “I honestly thought it was not that revealing.”
Leyva said that she could not stress how much was taken away from the portrait being covered up, and said yet it’s ironic the painting is called “Proud.”
“If we critique all the art, I can say there are a few paintings of Hispanic kids playing in the dirt, and that it’s downgrading,” Leyva said. “If we allow every one to do that to every painting, everything will be covered by the end of the night.”
Leyva said she understood that Johnson had every right to complain about the portrait, and that Sosa has the same rights to cover up his own painting, but said she felt the point of “Proud” is that females should be proud of their bodies.
Ferrier said that she wants to make sure that all student opinions are valued, and that all students are important to her, adding that she understands not every one agrees.
Artists Lionel and Kathy Sosa both have their own works of art on display, as well as other San Antonio artists from their collection including Jesse Trevino and Joe Villareal.
Originally on loan from the private collection of Lionel and Kathy Sosa, the current installments are now permanent pieces and were paid for through the tuition revenue bond.
Ferrier said the bond allows one percent of the $40 million, or $400,000 to fund art.
Art on campus that is not permanent and on loan can be found in the Office of the President.
The pieces, “Walter’s Drug Store” and “Progreso Drug Store” by artist Jesse Trevino, are also on loan from the Sosa’s collection, who has allowed Ferrier to keep the art on loan for as long as she is president at Texas A&M-San Antonio.
The dozens of regional paintings depicting San Antonio and the Southwest sparked more conversation among students.
“The art looks fabulous,” Gina Marie Sanchez, master’s of business administration graduate student, said. “I’m usually at the Brooks Campus and it’s so plain over there, but of course we’re not going to be there forever.”
Not all students are happy with the permanent installment. At least one student used the University Facebook page to express her displeasure.
“I appreciate art. I love art,” wrote Cindy Inez Mancillas, “but these paintings all over the walls are very distracting and over done.”
One student disagreed.
“I like them, and they say a lot about the culture in San Antonio,” bilingual education junior Adriana Badillo said. “They say a picture is worth a thousand words, and there is diversity, and all are multi-cultural. My favorite art is the one with the mariachis serenading.”
The painting titled “Mariachis” by artist Joe Villareal is located on the third floor of Main Campus.
Mancillas was contacted for further comments, but did not respond.
“The Sosa’s are icons of this community,” Ferrier said. “The whole idea of this art was to bring the San Antonio South Side experience, and that’s what they’re known for; that’s exactly what they’re known for.”
Since construction of Main Campus began, Kathy Sosa has contributed to A&M-San Antonio not only with her art, but also as an adviser and curator for campus lighting. She worked in collaboration with the architects and construction company, and all the while, not charging the university a cent, Ferrier said.
