Go Figure: Selections from the Permanent Collection

Throughout history, the human form has been a prominent subject in art.

Early cave paintings illustrate hunters with minimal strokes. In ancient Greece, human figures dominated the decoration of vases. Over time, the human figure has been featured in portraits, utilized to narrate stories or convey beliefs, and employed to delve into the essence of humanity. In art education, life drawing is frequently one of the initial skills imparted, enabling aspiring artists to closely observe and comprehend proportions while experimenting with various techniques.

For many artists engaged in drawing, painting, or sculpting from life, their interest in the human figure transcends mere accurate representation of their subjects. Photography, by its nature, captures life and is often employed to document the human figure, serving not only to portray individuals but also to chronicle their lives.

Artists frequently explore abstraction in their representation of the human figure, either by simplifying it or presenting it in unconventional ways that may distort bodily elements. Numerous artists have investigated methods to depict the human figure in motion, resulting in abstract representations. Beyond using the human figure to examine physical form or psychological aspects, artists often leverage it to narrate stories or convey messages, exploring political or social themes and personal memories.

This exhibition will explore the figure in a variety of media, from traditional to contemporary, pulling from PAAM’s permanent collection. 

THE PERMANENT COLLECTION

The permanent collection is an important measure of any museum’s value. At PAAM, the holdings of local and regional art is extensive and dynamic, comprising more than 5,000 works by over 900 artists who have worked in Provincetown and on Cape Cod. Each year, PAAM presents at least two exhibitions showcasing some of the recent gifts donated to our permanent collection. As an actively collecting museum, PAAM receives on average nearly 100 new works each year, and these exhibitions allow us to proudly display a selection of those works, some of which represent our first works by an artist in our permanent collection. We extend our deepest gratitude to our new and continuing donors.

PAAM also holds an extensive archive of materials referencing the artists whose work is represented in the collection, as well as ephemera associated with the continual activities of the Museum and Association. We provide these resources on request to scholars and historians.

Image: Nancy Bastien, Figure in Landscape #2, 1978