Why the Nude?
Margaret art nude

Why the Nude?

Art Nude Anisotropic Images
Margaret art nude

I’ve been asked “why the nude?” as a photographic subject.  Nudity can be such a polarizing subject, bringing questions of objectification and sexuality to play.  Then there is the “hasn’t it been done to death?” question.  I mean, people have made nude photographs since the beginning of photography!  Well maybe, if all you are interested in is an image of someone sans clothing, that might be the case.  But to me the nude is something much more than just a person’s naked body.  (And naked is not the same as nude, at least as far as art is concerned)  It’s been said that in creating, you should remove all that is unnecessary, until all that is left is necessary.  In my images, the body serves as an allegory for self image.  It speaks to how we see ourselves on the most basic and direct of levels.  I have found that adding wardrobe often distracts from that objective.  The image then becomes about the clothing and not the idea.

Anisotropic Images A Happy Accident
A Happy Accident

 Plus, the nude IS something that inspires discussion and that is something I want in my artwork.  If my work provokes a reaction, so much the better!  I would much prefer viewers to talk and think about my art, even if they don’t like it, than to have my work fall into the pile of similarity that is the internet.  Finally, for as many photographs as have been made of the human body, we exist in an endless variety of shapes, sizes and ages.  And our bodies change daily, providing new and exciting canvases to be explored.  The multitude of images waiting to be created will not be exhausted any time soon.  You just have to approach even the most familiar of subjects with fresh vision.

Art Nude Anisotropic Images
Mirror series.

 

This Post Has 2 Comments

    1. Thanks! I’m glad you enjoy it!

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