The Body


The human body comes in all different shapes and sizes, but when we look at bodies through art, how do we perceive them? From portraiture to sculpture, the body has inspired countless artists across all media.

Since the middle of the 20th century, artists and researchers alike have challenged how traditional western art has depicted the female form through the lens of the “male gaze”. At this time, artists also started to address the stereotypes, tropes and the stigma often attached to different figures. 

The body influences contemporary artists today as they continue to explore a complex range of ideas related to human form, looking at all aspects of life from sexuality and gender to ethnicity, physical ability, and aging. 

Discussing and looking at art about the body can be uncomfortable, empowering, revealing and everything in-between, but can it also force us to try and understand ourselves?

Artworks


Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum
SEARLE, Berni
© Berni Searle/Amgueddfa Cymru - Museum Wales
Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum
BUTLER, Reginald
© Reginald Butler/Amgueddfa Cymru - Museum Wales
National Library of Wales
Jones, Pete
© Jones, Pete/The National Library of Wales
National Library of Wales
Cecil, Roger
© Cecil, Roger/The National Library of Wales
Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum
VAUGHAN, Keith
© Estate of Keith Vaughan. All Rights Reserved. DACS 2025/Amgueddfa Cymru - Museum Wales
Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum
SEPUYA, Paul Mpagi
© Paul (Sepuya) Mpagi/Amgueddfa Cymru - Museum Wales
National Library of Wales
Williams, Claudia
© Williams, Claudia/The National Library of Wales
National Library of Wales
Hicks-Jenkins, Clive
© Hicks-Jenkins, Clive/The National Library of Wales
Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum
JAMES, Merlin
© Merlin James/Amgueddfa Cymru - Museum Wales
Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum
EVANS, Geraint
© Geraint Evans/Amgueddfa Cymru - Museum Wales
Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum
BRETT, Karen
© Karen Brett/Amgueddfa Cymru - Museum Wales
National Library of Wales
Suganami, Annie Morgan
© Suganami, Annie Morgan/The National Library of Wales
Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum
STEELE PERKINS, Chris STEELE-PERKINS
© Chris Steele-Perkins / Magnum Photos / Amgueddfa Cymru - Museum Wales
Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum
Britton, Alison
© Alison Britton/Amgueddfa Cymru - Museum Wales
Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum
GESIYE,
© Gesiye/Amgueddfa Cymru - Museum Wales
National Library of Wales
Sparnon, Tomos
© Sparnon, Tomos/The National Library of Wales
National Library of Wales
Chapman, Natalie
© Chapman, Natalie/The National Library of Wales

Articles