As a theatre designer I have done this for a major production in a way
that would suit your needs rather well. For the Nort American Premiere of
Suzuki's Clytemnestra we needed a number of stylized "bodies" on stage.

We fabricated these from a material theatre technicians know QUITE well
called backer rod (generic name) or "ethafoam" Dow's brand name. The
material comes in all manner of widths. Those under 1.5" D come on spools.
Best size for this purpose is 3/4" Diameter. Buy a spool. Then as you
would make a miniature figure from wire, bundle, knot, and weave the
backer rod like it is wire, forming the head, torso, and limbs. Anyone can
truly do this. You can also make articulated joints, although holding them
in particular poses would take some further strategizing. It is especially
easy if you have a particular pose already in mind. The results can look
quite stunning, and the form in this medium takes light extraordinarily
well (especially important for theatre work).

Added benefits for MUSEUM application would include: the fortuitous use of
such an inert material as polyethylene, extremely light weight while being
strong, easy to rig within a display, VERY cost effective, stylisticly
striking while also being neutral, VERY customizable, and no prior skills
are required to make these. Each year I have my beginning students make
wire figures for models. Many that couldn't master other forms of "art"
take quite well to this type of medium.

Let me know if any of you end up trying this technique. Another
benefit....they are quick AND fun to make and require no glue or other
materials except for any add-ons you might contemplate.

Richard Finkelstein