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Sausalito Center for the Arts hosts it’s second annual Figurative Art exhibit

By Jonathan P D Farrell

One of the most beautiful and personal — yet surprisingly — still controversial expressions of art — is the human form.

The body has been a subject of art since humanity’s very first attempts at artistic expression.

Opening on January 8, Sausalito Center for the Arts (SCA) will host their second annual figurative art exhibit entitled, “Here/Now: The Bay Area Figurative Movement Grows.”

The exhibit’s curators Susan R. Kirshenbaum and Catherine Merrill took a few moments to speak about the significance of the exhibit and its meaning.

In correlation with previous figurative art exhibits, especially in the San Francisco Bay Area, Kirshenbaum noted.

“Today’s narrative, expressive phase of the Bay Area figurative movement is about reflecting on the world we live in. (Hence this year’s exhibit title ‘Here/Now…’)”
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“We are telling stories that reach beyond academic achievement and accuracy,” (especially in the traditional and classical sense) said Kirshenbaum.

“We are truth seeking,” said Kirshenbaum. “Sometimes we embrace the un-beautiful,” she said. “Or create beauty for its own sake.”

“Our work as artists might reflect our personal struggles or the tensions that surround our lives,” said Kirshenbaum.

“We are presenting a range of 25 selected artists, she said, who focus on the figure. These artists all live and work in The Bay Area.”

“Each is grounded in the figurative movement,” she said. “Yet, each of them continues to explore and express their humanity through portrayals of the figurative form in context.”

Speaking from her own perspective and experience, sculptor Catherine Merrill was eager to point out.

“This exhibit affirms the figurative art of the past. But like all art, the artist is expressing the feelings, thoughts and ideas of the world the artist lives in.”

“The 25 artists we have gathered for this year’s exhibit, said Merrill, are some of the most talented in The Bay, and what they express is relevant to today.”
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Despite what goes on in the world, as Merrill exclaimed, “the creative process is a cause for joy; even amid the most challenging and difficult of times.”

Merrill is obviously deeply concerned about our lives today as she said.

“Art is about connecting; connecting with the physical world and with people.”

In addition to Merrill’s background as a dancer and being involved with live performance before becoming a full-time sculpture artist, “I was very much formed by the 1960s,” she said.

The Civil Rights Movement, the Women’s Liberation Movement, the Peace Movement, The Free Speech Movement as well as the Environmental Movement all occurred within Merrill’s lifetime and generation.

“I am concerned that as an American society we are losing our footing and are failing backwards.”

“For me the arts, especially sculpture, is all about the physical, tangible, tactile world.” Merrill said.

She mentioned neurologist Frank R. Wilson’s 1998 book, “The Hand: How its use shapes the brain, language & human culture.”

“I agree with Wilson that when we use our hands, create things, build things with our own hands, our brains improve and grow.”

Noticing the various trends that contemporary culture and tech culture has influenced, Merrill said.

“Working with one’s hands leads to discovering the world in a very specific tactile way.”

“Most of us don’t rely wholly on photographic reference material, said Kirshenbaum, and instead we carefully observe and interpret our life models, conveying our shared stories through our artistic interpretations.”

“It seems that today’s contemporary art culture is pre-occupied with following trends,” said Merrill.

For example, Merrill said. “I think it’s important to recycle.” “But I don’t want to do art about recycling.”

“Again, reiterated Merrill, art is about working with one’s hands; and it’s about connecting with the world and with people.”

In addition to co-curating the exhibit with Kirshenbaum, Merrill will be showing four large wall sculptures.

Each one is eye-catching, not only with a vivid sense of color and texture, but each one has a human figure central to the composition.

To emphasize the importance of connectedness, the piece entitled “Brothers” reflects Merrill’s belief that humanity and the plant world are truly linked as one.

The robust naked man leaning next to the tree has literally become at-one with the tree. His masculine physique reflects the beauty and strength of the tree.

“Think about it for a moment, if it wasn’t for trees and plants, humans couldn’t breathe,” said Merrill.

In addition to sculpture, painting, and mixed media, the “Here/Now” exhibit also features life drawing.

Kirshenbaum, will be exhibiting five mixed media works in the group show and one of her drawings with The Drawing Group she said. “The exhibit pays tribute to life drawing groups everywhere.”

About ‘The Drawing Group’ at the upcoming exhibit, Kirshenbaum said.

“We are bringing awareness to the subculture of drawing groups everywhere which continue to grow and maintain a large following of dedicated artists well beyond art school.”

Explaining further Kirshenbaum noted. “Our group is made up of artists who have been meeting for over 30 years, led by the San Francisco painter John Goodman.”

“We meet weekly at John’s Box Factory Loft studio in The Mission District of San Francisco,” said Kirshenbaum.

“John describes it, noted Kirshenbaum, as ‘a weekly fellowship of smart, talented and congenial people’. Each dealing with the ‘why’ and sometimes ‘how’ they draw.’”

“Each artist in the group shares the cost of hiring live models as well as some snacks and beverages to fuel the process of the group.”

“The poses, the shapes, gestural movements, opportunities of inspiration and spontaneity emerge on paper. One artist describes the process as a ‘synthesis’ of layers of drawn images in the hands of an artist.”

Using technology to help in making or enhancing art is okay. But it’s relying entirely upon technology without the tangible, tactile experience of the physical world that is of concern to both Merrill and Kirshenbaum.

“Use of live models is crucial,” said Merrill. “Their presence is tangible, creating a real, honest-to-goodness essence, interacting in a room with the artists,” she added.

Stephen Namara is one artist who is featured in the exhibit. He employs various drawing techniques in his distinctive style of figurative art.

Since the 1970s, Namara has been an important contributor in The Bay Area figure artist’s community.

Described by independent-artist and curator Karen M. Gutfreund as “exquisite” and “masterfully drawn” Namara’s work continues to inspire.

Gutfreund is affiliated with several groups including the Northern California Women’s Caucus for Art.

This ambitious showing of diverse, multi-generational artists, using a wide variety of materials to create their work, are likely to inspire fellow artists, patrons, and viewers alike.

The exhibiting artists are:

Joseph Abbati

Doug Andelin

Isidoro Angeles

Adam Caldwell

Sandy Frank

Tebby George

Mary Graham

Susan R. Kirshenbaum

Calvin Lai

Kim Larson

Catherine Merrill

Stephen Namara

Diane Olivier

May Shei

Sandra Speidel

The Drawing Group:

Dwight Been, Henry Bridges, Daisy Eneix, John Goodman, Susan R. Kirshenbaum, Pamela Mooney, Alex Rosmarin, Peter Steinhart, Barbara Tonnesen, and Dieter Tremp.

Opening on January 8 “Here/Now: The Bay Area Figurative Movement Grows,” is to be held at Sausalito Center for the Arts, 750 Bridgeway at (Anchor St.), the month-long exhibit will continue until Feb 2, 2025.

An Opening Reception with live music and refreshments will be held on Jan. 11 from 3–6pm. (Photos provided and of the art pieces seen in this article are courtesy of artists Susan Kirshenbaum, Catherine Merrill, Stephen Namara and Sausalito Center for the Arts.)​

For more details regarding lectures, talks and events planned during the exhibit, visit the Sausalito Center for the Arts (SCA) website.