Bay Area Figurative Drawing: 1958–1968

January 7–February 25, 2017

Opening reception: Saturday, January 7, 4–6pm

David Park, Nude in Chair, c. 1955–59

David Park, Nude in Chair, c. 1955–59; 17 × 14 inches

Richard Diebenkorn, Untitled, 1968

Richard Diebenkorn, Untitled, 1968; 17 × 14 inches

Elmer Bischoff, David Park and Richard Diebenkorn, n.d.

Elmer Bischoff, David Park and Richard Diebenkorn, n.d.; 12 × 9 inches and 11 × 8.5 inches

Elmer Bischoff, Woman, Back View and Nude with Arms Resting on Chair, n.d.

Elmer Bischoff, Woman, Back View and Nude with Arms Resting on Chair, n.d.; 12 × 9 inches each

Paul Wonner, Woman Reading, 1963–64

Paul Wonner, Woman Reading, 1963–64; 14 × 17 inches

William Theophilus Brown, Male Model in Studio, 1964

William Theophilus Brown, Male Model in Studio, 1964; 14 × 17 inches

William Theophilus Brown, Sterling Holloway, 1962

William Theophilus Brown, Sterling Holloway, 1962; 17 × 14 inches

William Theophilus Brown, Female Nude, 1965

William Theophilus Brown, Female Nude, 1965; 22 × 17 inches

William Theophilus Brown, Seated Woman, 1982

William Theophilus Brown, Seated Woman, 1982; 22-1/4 × 14-1/2 inches

Nathan Oliveira, Figure with Black Background, 1968

Nathan Oliveira, Figure with Black Background, 1968; 15-1/4 × 19 inches

James Weeks, Nude Reclining on Bed, 1967

James Weeks, Nude Reclining on Bed, 1967; 14-5/8 × 18 inches

James Weeks, Seated Nude, 1969

James Weeks, Seated Nude, 1969; 19 × 14 inches

Frank Lobdell, Untitled FL-121, 1965

Frank Lobdell, Untitled FL-121, 1965; 17 × 14 inches

Bruce McGaw, Woman Sewing, 1958

Bruce McGaw, Woman Sewing, 1958; 14 × 16-1/2 inches

Bruce McGaw, Paint Cans, 1959

Bruce McGaw, Paint Cans, 1959; 14 × 16 inches

William H. Brown, Nude, 1961

William H. Brown, Nude, 1961; 8-3/4 × 12 inches

David Park, Untitled (male study), c. 1955–59

David Park, Untitled (male study), c. 1955–59; 16-7/8 × 14 inches


Press Release

Brian Gross Fine Art is pleased to announce the opening of BAY AREA FIGURATIVE DRAWING: 1958–1968, an exhibition of drawings from the historic period of Bay Area figuration, on Saturday, January 7, 2017. This exhibition features works on paper by many of the major artists in the movement, including David Park, Richard Diebenkorn, Elmer Bischoff, James Weeks, Paul Wonner, William Theophilus Brown, Nathan Oliveira, Frank Lobdell, Bruce McGaw, and William H. Brown. BAY AREA FIGURATIVE DRAWING: 1958–1968 will be on view through February 25, 2017.

Led by David Park, the Bay Area Figurative Movement began as a rejection of the pure abstract painting coming from New York in the 1940s-1950s, and represented locally by Clyfford Still’s powerful influence at the then California School of Fine Arts, now the San Francisco Art Institute. Not a complete rejection of abstraction, Bay Area figuration combined abstraction with traditional realism to form a unique and distinct hybrid. The works in the show include still lifes, portraits, and figurative studies, revealing how each artist both developed and expanded the movement while also creating a distinct style within it.