2008 Woodie Awards
Campus Gallery Shows Some Skin
FC Art Exhibit brings new meaning to the term, "body art."
Taylor Alfonso
Issue date: 9/19/07 Section: Entertainment
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The human figure is a thought-provoking and often controversial art subject because it can be used to discuss sex, morality and spirituality. And, according to the information provided by the Gallery, the human body, "addresses issues of humanity, society and ideas about ourselves as individuals."
The art varies in medium and style. The works change from abstract views to more representational and realistic depictions of the body. The exhibit features several different styles of art, including: lithographs, collages, mixed media, sculptures, oil, watercolor and acrylic paintings.
Each painting deals with human figures in a variety of different ways. Artist Harry Camean's "Figure Scene" is an oil-on-canvas abstract, and is an almost impressionist-like painting. In this painting, Camean is interested in looking at the female body, as it is confronted with minimal light.
John Nava's "Rebecca Seated," is a large, beautiful painting of a woman with her head buried in her hands and knees. Nava painted completely in blue; every shadow and highlight is a different shade of blue.
Alyssa Monks, "Seated Figure," is a typical painting of a nude model in an art class. The woman is seated on a stool, with her back towards the audience and her head is slanted, silhouetting her profile.
This painting not only shows the talent of the artist, who is able to create such a convincing portrayal of a real woman, but Monks also captures the attractiveness of the woman in the auburn-brown hair, soft creamy skin and darkly shadowed eyes. Each piece of artwork is completely different from the piece before it, despite the similar subject of the body.
Amidst the many nude subjects is a triptych (which is a set of three hinged panels), of Jesus Christ's torso. The panels are painted in bold colors like purple, red and orange.
According to the information plaque next to the painting, Jim Morphesis' "Dark Triptych" explores the connections between "sensuality and religious spirituality," and looks to ancient Greek and Roman depictions of the nude male in his portrayal of Christ's body.
Some other very abstract works include a piece called "Self-Portrait" by John Frame. It is a small wooden sculpture of a downcast, thin, older man standing on a scaffold; his flaming heart hanging by the noose.
Nathan Oliveira, an artist interested in the female nude as an icon of spirituality, painted a nude woman in a thick-pink atmosphere. The woman is like a phantom in the pink background.
But perhaps the most original of all the many paintings is Miriam Shapiro's "Adam and Eve." Despite the countless nudes in the FC exhibit, ironically, the only two clothed human bodies are Adam and Eve. The Adam and Eve in the portrait dance on opposite sides, while a two-headed snake bites Eve from behind. The work is a collage of fabric, paint and woodprint.
For various artistic takes on the human form, visit the Fullerton College Gallery and experience all the body has to offer.
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