Art Museum: Photographer Brett Weston

The UW Art Museum adds photographs from a renowned photographer to its expanding permanent collection. 

The University of Wyoming Art Museum manages a permanent collection of more than 11,000 artworks, which has been carefully maintained and expanded over the past 50-plus years. One of the museum’s primary methods of acquiring art is through generous donations that align with its mission. At the close of 2024, the museum was fortunate to receive a donation of 50 photographs from the Brett Weston Archive. This acquisition fills a significant gap in the museum’s collection of abstract photography.

Brett Weston (American, 1911–93) developed his photographic skills from a young age working closely with his father, the renowned photographer Edward Weston (American, 1886–1958). As a teenage apprentice, Weston accompanied his father on an extended trip to Mexico, where he immersed himself in modern art, drawing influence from iconic figures such as Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera and José Clemente Orozco. These early experiences combined with his natural affinity for photographing plant life culminated in the creation of his signature abstract nature photographs.

Throughout his life, Weston traveled extensively, creating a diverse body of work that spanned the globe. His photographs included those taken in Mexico as well as Spain and Hawaii, where he lived in his later years. The works generously donated to the Art Museum reflect Weston’s broad vision, highlighting his lifelong exploration of form, texture and abstraction.

The majority of the Art Museum’s photographic holdings are documentary and representational, and so acquiring Weston’s work significantly strengthens the collection of abstract photography from the 1940s to the 1970s. His photographs prioritize form and texture over the literal depiction of the subject matter. Works such as “Rock Formation” (1971) and “Tool Shed Wall” (1940) exemplify Weston’s ability to transform everyday subjects into striking compositions that emphasize shape and abstraction.

In a bold move to maintain control over his work, Weston famously burned most of his photographic negatives on his 80th birthday. He firmly believed that only artists should print their own work, and so he took this drastic step to ensure that every photograph bearing his name had been printed by his own hands. This decision underscores his commitment to his artistic vision and the integrity of his work.

The UW Art Museum is thrilled to expand its photographic collection with these important works and looks forward to sharing them with UW students and the broader public. Weston’s photography offers a unique and thought-provoking way of seeing the world, challenging viewers to look beyond the surface and appreciate the subtle beauty of form and texture.

The Art Museum continues to accept donation and acquisition proposals year-round. A newly re-formed Collections Advisory Committee reviews these proposals for their quality and alignment with the museum’s mission and scope. We are grateful to the Brett Weston Archive and all the museum’s generous donors who have helped shape this important resource for UW.