Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU) has completed the restoration of a significant triptych by Cuban-born artist Zilia Sánchez, underscoring the institution’s commitment to preserving contemporary art. The artwork, measuring 7 feet in height and 11 feet in width, is recognized as Sánchez’s largest known piece.
Sánchez, celebrated for her three-dimensional abstract canvases exploring themes of femininity and sensuality, has had her work featured in esteemed institutions such as the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Centre Pompidou in Paris. She passed away in December 2024 at the age of 98.
The triptych was donated to SCSU through the efforts of Professor Emeritus Rita Geada. Over the years, the piece sustained significant damage. In 2019, Alyson Cluck, a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Maryland researching Sánchez’s oeuvre, expressed interest in the artwork. This prompted Cort Sierpinski, director of the Buley Art Gallery, to initiate a comprehensive restoration project. Faced with high external conservation estimates, Sierpinski undertook the meticulous restoration himself, ensuring adherence to Sánchez’s original techniques.
Following the artist’s passing, discussions are underway to prominently display the restored triptych within the university. This endeavor highlights SCSU’s dedication to art preservation and offers students and visitors an opportunity to engage with a masterpiece by a pioneering contemporary artist.
