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Permanent Collection
An Artistic Legacy
The University Museum at Texas Southern has collected a rich body of artwork by students, faculty, alumni, and outside artists. Dr. John T. Biggers, who founded the art department at Texas Southern University in 1949, established a tradition of collecting a selection of works from every graduating senior art student. Over the years, the collection has grown to include more than a thousand pieces of student artwork. Also included are works donated by alumni of the art program and art faculty members, including iconic artists John Biggers and Carroll Harris Simms. Lastly, there is a small but significant body of work by outside artists that has been donated by various collectors.
Malindy, Armstead Mills,1965
The art of the permanent collection ranges from paintings, drawings, photography, and prints, to textiles, sculptures, carvings, and various multimedia works. One particular highlight is the terracotta collection, a body of sculptures created by students of Carroll Harris Simms. Inspired by the professor's travels to West Africa, the maquettes, busts, and full-size sculptures feature unique designs and exterior embellishments. The permanent collection showcases the wealth of creativity, talent, and inspiration that TSU artists have drawn from over the last eight decades. A project is currently underway to digitize the collection and create an online catalog. All currently digitized terracottas can be viewed here.
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Selections from the Permanent Collection
All rights held by the University Museum at Texas Southern. For permission to publish, distribute, or use these images for any other purpose, please contact University Museum, Texas Southern University umuseum@gmail.com Attn: Museum Director. Materials not created by Texas Southern University may still be under copyright. Additional materials may be presented for educational and research purposes in accordance with fair use under United States copyright law.
