BODY / PARTS

Works from the Collection of Raymond J. Learsy

Bodies fail us, frustrate us, allow us immense freedom, and can inspire desire and disgust in equal measure. Fittingly, the human body has long been an object of fascination for artists, traditionally functioning as a vehicle to express allegorical ideas about beauty, sexuality, and philosophy. But in the twentieth century, there was a significant shift in how the human form was used as a subject, and artists now refer to the body as a mutable entity, one whose surface expresses the self beneath. Whether highly representational or abstracted, these works blur the distinction between the observer and the observed, asking us to consider what roles we impose on ourselves and others. This exhibition of over twenty works, organized by Guest Curator Camille Roccanova (Collection Manager, Raymond Learsy Collection), includes works by Laylah Ali, Jenny Saville, Ana Mendieta, Tseng Kwong Chi, and Natalie Frank.

More about this exhibition

Supported in part through a gift from Brass Axe Capital to underwrite exhibitions in the Munger Room.

 

RELATED PROGRAMS

The Evolution of Raymond Learsy as a Collector
Thursday, October 4
Reception: 5:30 p.m. / Presentation: 6:00 p.m.
FREE for Members & College Students / $10 General
Join us for a discussion with Camille Roccanova, Collection Manager, Raymond Learsy Collection. Learsy, long-time collector and patron of the arts, collects works that tell the story of artistic use of the human form.

 

Drawing the Body in the Galleries (18+) with male nude Gil Salk
Sunday, November 4, 10:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Pre-register by 10/31
$25 Members / $30 General
Visitors are invited to set-up their drawing boards in the galleries for the rare opportunity to draw from a live nude model. Participants should bring their own supplies. Permissible art materials are limited to graphite, colored pencils, erasers, sketch pads, and drawing boards. No easels allowed. Stools will be provided.