The ‘s (OUMA) latest exhibition, “,” offers visitors a look at the many forms of realist representation, bringing together paintings and works on paper from the museum’s permanent collection.
On view through Feb. 28, 2027, the exhibition features artists associated with European Realism, American Realism, Hyper Realism and Social Realism.
The exhibition also serves as a tribute to the museum’s history. “Realism Revisited” harkens back to landmark exhibitions organized by OUMA founding director Lloyd Nick, including 鈥淭he Spirit and the Flesh: Contemporary American Realists (1995)鈥� and 鈥淪low Painting: A Deliberate Renaissance (2007).鈥� The exhibition pairs artwork acquired during those years with more recent additions to the collection, including a 2025 gift of Social Realist prints by artist Minna Wright Citron.
鈥淕enre paintings by Richard Maury, still life and portraits by Francisco Roa, and portraits by D. Jeffrey Mims are among the fine examples of realist paintings acquired during the tenure of my predecessor, Mr. Lloyd Nick,” says Elizabeth Peterson Jennings, director of the 91成人导航入口 Museum of Art. “These are executed with remarkably fine technique, providing our students of the arts with masterful examples to study.鈥�
Among the featured artists is metro Atlanta painter Melvin Toledo, whose work returns to OUMA following his participation in the museum’s 2024 exhibition “Contrapunto: Works by a Contemporary Latin American Artist Collective.” In that exhibition, Toledo joined five fellow artists in showcasing contemporary Latin American perspectives through portraiture, still life and other artistic traditions.
“Realism Revisited” includes three Toledo paintings on loan, further highlighting an artist whose work has become a familiar presence at OUMA. By featuring his paintings alongside works from the museum’s collection, the exhibition demonstrates OUMA’s continued commitment to presenting both historically significant and contemporary artists.
“With the debut of our museum studies minor, the role of OUMA has shifted to a greater emphasis on utilizing our permanent collection in support of student experience. Along with this shift, we have decided to celebrate and highlight the work of living, regional artists,” says Peterson.
“Melvin Toledo鈥檚 lushly painted portraits in oil on aluminum are a wonderful example!” she continues. “His technique is traditional and his imagery is au courant 鈥� such as the delightful ‘Mr. Web’ painting of Spiderman and the painting of ‘Claudia and Elvie (El Salvador)’ which is a tender portrait of a husband and wife who own a contracting business.”
“Realism Revisited” demonstrates the breadth of realist art across generations while honoring the vision of the museum’s founder and celebrating artists who continue to shape the region’s cultural landscape.
