Left, Manuel Neri. Right, Bruce McGaw

My friend Delma and I went to a talk and an exhibit at the Pamela Walsh Gallery in Palo Alto. We are familiar with the Bay Area Figurative Movement and admire the purpose of this collective born and developed from the 1950s to the 1960s in Berkeley, Oakland, and San Francisco. It was spearheaded by David Park, Richard Diebenkorn, and many others.

If you find yourself in Palo Alto, make time to visit the Pamela Walsh Gallery at 540 Ramona Street. Their current exhibit, untitled “Concentric Circles,” is a gem, showcasing captivating pieces by Bay Area Figurative Movement artists like Manuel Neri, James Weeks, Theophilus Brown, and more.

Left, Nathan Oliveira. Right, James Weeks.

This exhibition shines a light on works created between 1950 and 1965—a period when local artists were making a deliberate shift from the prevailing Abstract Expressionism to a more figurative style. The Bay Area Figurative Movement emerged as a compelling counterpoint to the abstract art trends of the time, reintroducing recognizable human figures and tangible forms while maintaining expressive, bold brushstrokes.

The exhibit at Pamela Walsh Gallery is a chance to step into a transformative moment in American art history and to appreciate local artists from other times. Some of them gained international recognition while others struggle to make a living.