Of Their Time: Contemporary Bay Area Figurative Art

Of Their Time: Contemporary Bay Area Figurative Art examines the San Francisco Bay Area's figurative art movement from the 1950s to the present. Art historian Susan Landauer tracks the evolution of this distinctive regional style through interviews, archival research, and analysis of key works. The book documents the shift from Abstract Expressionism to figurative painting among Bay Area artists including David Park, Elmer Bischoff, and Richard Diebenkorn. Landauer explores how these artists maintained their commitment to representational art despite the dominance of abstraction in the broader art world. Later chapters focus on subsequent generations of Bay Area figurative artists and their interpretations of the human form. The text is supported by over 100 color plates and photographs that demonstrate the movement's scope and influence. This study reveals how regional artistic movements can emerge and thrive independently of prevailing national trends, while examining deeper questions about tradition, innovation, and artistic identity.

There are not enough internet reviews to create a summary of this book. Instead, here is a summary of reviews of Susan Landauer's overall work: Art historians and curators value Landauer's detailed documentation of California art movements, particularly her research on the San Francisco School of Abstract Expressionism. What readers liked: - Deep research and archival work that uncovers previously undocumented aspects of West Coast art history - Clear writing style that makes complex art movements accessible - Original interviews with artists providing firsthand accounts - High-quality reproductions of artwork in her books What readers disliked: - Academic tone can be dense for general readers - Some found coverage too focused on established artists rather than lesser-known figures - High price points of her art books limit accessibility Ratings: - "The San Francisco School of Abstract Expressionism" - 4.5/5 on Goodreads (12 ratings) - "Elmer Bischoff: The Ethics of Paint" - 4.7/5 on Amazon (6 ratings) Several academic reviewers note her work fills important gaps in documentation of California art. Art students appreciate her thorough citations and bibliographies for research purposes.

Bay Area Figurative Art, 1950-1965 by Caroline A. Jones Traces the development of Bay Area Figurative painters through archival materials, interviews, and critical analysis of their break from Abstract Expressionism.

Richard Diebenkorn: The Berkeley Years, 1953-1966 by Timothy Anglin Burgard and Steven Nash Documents Richard Diebenkorn's pivotal transition from abstraction to figuration during his Berkeley period through paintings, drawings, and archival materials.

David Park: A Painter's Life by Nancy Boas Chronicles the life and artistic evolution of David Park, the founder of the Bay Area Figurative movement, through letters, photographs, and comprehensive analysis of his work.

Nathan Oliveira by Peter Selz Examines the complete artistic journey of Nathan Oliveira, from his roots in Bay Area Figuration through his later explorations of monotype prints and sculpture.

Joan Brown by Karen Tsujimoto Presents Joan Brown's artistic development from her early Bay Area Figurative works through her later symbolic paintings through extensive documentation and images.

🎨 The Bay Area Figurative Movement emerged as a bold rejection of Abstract Expressionism in the 1950s, making it one of the few American art movements to originate outside New York City. 📚 Author Susan Landauer served as Chief Curator at the San Jose Museum of Art and is recognized as a leading expert on California art movements of the 20th century. 🎯 The movement's key figures, including David Park, Richard Diebenkorn, and Elmer Bischoff, shocked the art world by returning to figurative painting at a time when abstraction dominated American art. 🌉 The artistic community centered around the San Francisco Art Institute and the California School of Fine Arts played a crucial role in nurturing and developing this distinctive regional style. 🔄 Many of the artists featured in the book moved fluidly between abstraction and representation throughout their careers, creating a unique hybrid style that influenced subsequent generations of painters.