NEW NUDES
on view at C Space Gallery, Stevens Point, WI
February 28- April 27, 2025

Painting nudes has historically been an exercise in studying the human form. Each body being unique presents endless learning experiences and wonder of how we can all share the same organs, yet look so vastly different. In this series “New Nudes” the artist Lenora Howl (who creates under the moniker Curvo) pushes into the concept of how to represent people. Once relishing in the tiny details, flaws, and shadows of the human form, over the years Curvo’s figures became simplified as she tried to portray people without signifying gender, using fewer lines, no hair, and less physical definition. Now she has eliminated most of the human body all together. These New Nudes attempt to get closer to the real essence of people- the jumble of building blocks of who they are- that even the vulnerable naked body cannot convey.

Working with the physicality of cubism, concepts of primitivism, and the representation of movement inspired by the Expressionist painter Paul Klee, this series attempts to explore how people are portrayed through portraiture and therefore, how their identities are defined and remembered. Once all of the external characteristics are gone, what feelings and personality can you gather from the remaining structure?

Soon to follow in March will be linoleum block prints that continue the exploration of portraiture through the style of Japanese woodblock prints and how the human form interacts with the frame of the block.