Tanara Oliveira
Mark your calendars for Dec. 9, as the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria (AGGV) is set to show a captivating exhibition titled “In the Flesh: The Nude in Art, Past and Present.” This event will kick off with a free public open house from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
“In the Flesh,” brings together a stunning collection of over one hundred artworks, all centered around the timeless theme of the human nude as a subject for artistic expression. This exhibition draws from the AGGV Collection, featuring historical artists such as Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Auguste Rodin, Pablo Picasso and Henry Moore.
“At varying times beautiful, sensual, intimate and provocative, the works presented here trace our captivation with the human form from the Renaissance to today. Visitors will experience a visual journey through time, ranging from the classical and literary subjects of the past to the body and gender politics of the present,” said Steven McNeil, exhibition curator and AGGV chief curator and director of collections and exhibitions.
The meaning of In the Flesh, refers to both to the naked human form as well as to the importance of experiencing things in real life, according to McNeil.
“The latter meaning comes from a practice that the AGGV is currently embracing, to highlight treasures from the permanent collection and to create opportunities for our communities to experience great art.”
These works will be displayed alongside creations from contemporary Indigenous and Canadian artists, including Pat Martin Bates, Ivan Eyre, Evergon, Michael Morris, Susan Point and Carole Sabiston. A highlight of the exhibition will be the introduction of new work by Andrew Moncrief, an artist originally hailing from Vancouver Island but currently making waves in the art world from his base in Berlin, Germany.
Join exhibition artist Andrew Moncreif and exhibition curator Steven McNeil in the historic Spencer Mansion for a captivating artist talk at Dec. 9 a.m. at 11 a.m. To secure your spot, it is recommended to RSVP at aggv.ca.
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