Tucson Trio
Fine Arts Collection
U.S. General Services Administration
Stephen Batura often appropriates imagery for his large-scale paintings from unknown or undocumented historic photographs that deal with the commonplace or ordinary aspects of history rather than heroic moments. Batura created the Tucson Trio, a triptych, by applying thin washes of acrylic paint to aluminum panels.
"1891" features an early view from the outskirts of Tucson as depicted in a historic photograph from the Reynolds Collection (ASH 12649), courtesy of the Arizona Historical Society.
"Remains" includes a congregation of individuals and animals as depicted in a historic photograph from the Ellis Collection (ASH 22782), courtesy of the Arizona Historical Society.
"2008" is based upon a photograph take by the artist in March 2008. The James A. Walsh Courthouse is in the center of this highly populated image.