The San Antonio Museum of Art is presenting "Maya Blue: Ancient Color, New Visions," an exhibition curated by Kristopher Driggers that explores the ancient Maya pigment known as Maya blue. The show features eight earthenware artworks and one stucco piece dating from 550 to 1,500 years ago, alongside five modernist and contemporary works that highlight the enduring influence of Indigenous knowledge. Objects on view include figurines, a censer, and jade pieces, many bearing traces of the distinctive blue pigment, which was difficult to produce and held sacred significance in Maya culture.
The exhibition matters because it bridges ancient and contemporary art, demonstrating how a pre-Columbian pigment continues to inspire modern artists and scholars. By focusing on the material and cultural history of Maya blue—a remarkably stable pigment that resists fading and degradation—the show underscores the sophistication of Indigenous technological and artistic practices. It also brings attention to recent research, including anthropologist Dean E. Arnold's 2024 book on the pigment, and highlights the role of collectors like John and Kathi Oppenheimer in building the museum's holdings.