Expansion of Art Collection at Chatham Hall

During Reunion Weekend, Chatham Hall unveiled an exciting new acquisition to the Robin Peake Stuart '69 Art Collection: Last Supper Cowboy Boots by Swedish artist Ulla-Stina Wikander.

This captivating piece was one of six standout works featured at the prestigious Untitled Art Fair in Miami, marking a breakthrough moment for Wikander (b. 1957), whose presence in the U.S. art scene has been limited to a single solo show in 2018 at Mobilia Gallery in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Wikander is known for her whimsical and thought-provoking transformations of vintage household items—binoculars, ballet slippers, espresso pots—into striking objets d’art wrapped meticulously in traditional needlework. Her work is both nostalgic and subversive, blurring the line between domestic craft and contemporary fine art. At Untitled Art Miami, Jane Lombard Gallery sold out of all 12 of Wikander’s featured sculptures, underscoring her growing international appeal.

Now, Chatham Hall proudly joins this moment of recognition with the acquisition of Last Supper Cowboy Boots, a witty and intricate reinterpretation of Leonardo da Vinci’s iconic mural. The work merges religious iconography with Americana in a way that is both irreverent and deeply reflective—an ideal match for a collection meant to challenge and inspire.

 

Wikander’s boots now take their place in this ever-evolving collection, offering a bold new narrative thread for students and alumnae alike to reflect on, discuss, and enjoy.