The Resurgence of Figurative Art: Why the Human Form is Back in Focus
For a long time, contemporary art was dominated by abstraction—gestural marks, geometric minimalism, and colour fields that left everything open to interpretation. But now, something is shifting. Figurative art—art that represents the human form—is making a powerful comeback, and it’s impossible to ignore.
At the heart of this revival is “Corps et Âmes”, a major exhibition in Paris at the Bourse de Commerce, showcasing over 100 works by artists like Marlene Dumas, Peter Doig, Richard Avedon, and Ana Mendieta. It’s a statement that figuration isn’t just relevant—it’s thriving. And as an artist myself, I can feel its pull.
Why Are Artists Returning to the Human Form?
Figurative art never truly disappeared, but for years, abstraction and conceptualism took centre stage. Now, with the world feeling more fragmented than ever, perhaps artists and audiences are craving something more tangible—something recognisable and deeply human.
1. Emotional Connection
There’s something immediate and visceral about seeing a human figure in a piece of art. Faces, bodies, gestures—these are things we instinctively understand. They make us feel something, whether it’s intimacy, vulnerability, or strength.
2. Storytelling and Identity
Figurative art allows for personal and cultural narratives to unfold in ways that abstraction doesn’t. Artists are using the body to explore themes of identity, heritage, and lived experience—whether through bold portraiture, surreal distortion, or expressive realism.
3. A Reaction Against the Digital Age
With AI-generated art and digital filters warping reality every day, there’s a renewed appreciation for the handmade, the imperfect, and the deeply personal. Figurative art brings us back to something physical, something crafted by human hands.
How This Resurgence Inspires My Own Work
For a long time, my work was centered around eyes—a recurring motif in my drawings. There was something captivating about them, something universal yet deeply personal. I loved the challenge of capturing depth and emotion in a single gaze. The eyes became a way to explore expression without fully embracing the human form.
But recently, as I’ve moved into colour painting, I’ve felt a pull towards something bigger. The face, the body, the way figures exist in space—these elements have started finding their way into my work. Where my eye drawings were isolated fragments of expression, my newer pieces feel like a fuller exploration of presence and movement.
This shift has opened up new creative possibilities. I’m experimenting with how colour interacts with the figure, how emotion can be shaped not just by a gaze but by posture, gesture, and composition. It’s an exciting evolution—one that feels aligned with this broader resurgence of figurative art.
Where Is Figurative Art Headed?
It’s clear that figuration is evolving. Contemporary artists are pushing boundaries—merging realism with abstraction, blending traditional techniques with digital processes, and experimenting with scale and perspective in new ways. It’s not about going backwards; it’s about reinterpreting the human form for the world we live in now.
I’d love to know what you think—do you feel drawn to figurative art? Have you noticed its resurgence in galleries and exhibitions? Let’s start a conversation. And if you want to see how my own work is evolving, check out my latest pieces.