Christie's AVP brings unique vision to nude art calendar contest

New York, NY – April 30, 2007 – Barebrush.com is pleased to present the unique vision of Erica Barrish, AVP of Christie’s, the international auction house, in the site’s ninth monthly calendar contest, May N*des-of-the-Month.

The May calendar, 31 artworks (one for each day of the month) by 18 artists. Selected from nearly 300 entries submitted by 48 artists world wide, the show includes painting, sculpture, digital photography, and drawing. N*des-of-the-Month May 2007 is in previews for members only and viewable by the public beginning May 1, 2007 at www.barebrush.com....

As she was selecting the show, Erica said, “This is not as easy as it looks.” She later elaborated that she was especially interested in the digital art and abstraction of the figure. “There is some really interesting work.”

Barebrush founder and CEO, Ilene Skeen, explained that for the selection process there is only one rule regarding the art – that it must be art of the nude. The style of works submitted and the media are entirely up to the artists – and there is no limit on the number. This gives the maximum flexibility to the guest curator – choosing from a wide variety of artists and styles, or choosing a more focused selection. “Each guest curator approaches the selection process uniquely. Erica took a her time and looked at everything carefully – apparently responding to an inner vision of what her show should look like. I’m proud to present her very distinctive vision at barebrush.com.”

About the Artists and the Show:

Erica seemed especially excited by Randy Thurman’s digital painting, Exhilaration, and selected that piece for the honor of launching the month as May 1st.

May N*des-of-the-Month artists (with day of the month): Oudi Arroni (4, 5), Roger Cummiskey (21), Anki King (28), Tony Lee (15), Jean Marcellino (16-18), Lael Marshall (23, 24), Jacqui Morgan (25), Frank Olesen (13), Rob Outwater (19), Peter Ramon (6-8), Chanit Roston (26), William Stephen Rothstein (11, 12), Anthony Santella (30), Ilene Skeen (27), Simone Stoll (9, 10), Randy Thurman (1-3), Haydee Torres (22), Norbert Waysberg (31), Yukako (20).

To see the complete press release, click here

Nude Art and the Birth of Understanding

by Ilene Skeen

A second year graduate student at George Mason University (Virginia), riled a number of people by portraying a woman in the process of a breech birth (baby coming feet first). The painting by Jessica Clements caused protest by university employees when it was hung with a class exhibit in the atrium of Mason Hall, an art exhibit area with university offices upstairs.

Apparently all involved understood that it was going to be controversial. The other students in the art class were asked to vote whether or not it should be exhibited and they voted for it to remain. Clements was asked to prepare an extended statement of purpose to help explain the piece. The teacher, Paula Crawford met with Tom Hennessey, the chief of staff to the university president and a compromise was reached.

“It’s perfectly fine to portray female nudity, unless the body is doing something. If it’s not sexy, if it’s not posed, then it’s disgusting,” said Clements in reaction to complaints.

To their great credit, even after complaints, with some people saying that the image was inappropriate for an office area, the university allowed the piece to remain on display in situ for the full term of the exhibition.

“I think this is one of those situations where the art students need to understand that not everyone appreciates their art. Yet everyone can learn something from their art,” Hennessey said. “It becomes a great learning experience for everybody.”

Hear, hear.

To see the original article by Joe Osborne (from the Broadsideonline -- the student newspaper of George Mason University) -- and an image of the painting, click here

Art News: Call for Entries -- N*des-of-the-Month May 2007 -- Over 1 Million hits in 2007, 124,000 pages viewed, 16,000 unique viewers.

Deadline April 23. All visual artists are encouraged to submit art of the nude to the barebrush.com for selection by Erica Barrish, Assistant Vice President, Christie's, New York, for the May 2007 N*des-of-the-Month exhibition.

New York, NY – April 5, 2007. barebrush.com announces today that Erica Barrish, Assistant Vice President at Christie's in New York will select and curate the May 2007 N*des-of-the-Month virtual exhibition. The entry deadline for the May 2007 calendar is April 23. Art must be uploaded to barebrush.com on or before April 23 to be eligible for the May exhibition. "I believe that I will be speaking for many barebrush artists when I say that I am thrilled that Erica Barrish will curate the May exhibition," says Ilene Skeen, barebrush.com founder and CEO. "Erica brings a keen eye for art and value, and the name recognition of Christie's in the field of art sales is beyond question. Excitement will be high."

About Erica Barrish and Christie's

Erica Barrish has a rich and diverse background in fine art and art history. Erica is an Associate Specialist, Assistant Vice President of Fine Art in Christie’s House Sale department. Christie’s is the world's leading art auctioneer with global sales in 2006 of over $4.6 billion. Annually, Erica produces, organizes and coordinates eleven auctions of fine art. Sales feature work of Old Master painters and draftsman, Nineteenth Century creators, Impressionist and Modern masters and Post-War and Contemporary visionaries....

When questioned about her approach to the May calendar, Erica stated:

“In the May exhibition, I am seeking works that demonstrate the creator’s personal connection with the human figure. I am looking for works that explore the abstract forms that comprise the body. Moreover, it is my interest to see how artists use both traditional and unconventional mediums to interpret the classical subject matter.”

To see the complete Call for Entries including more about Erica Barrish, click here

Sweet Revenge for Naked Jesus?

Artist says offers are pouring in for chocolate Jesus sculpture

[information found at newday.com credited to: Daily News, http://www.nydailynews.com]

NEW YORK -- Offers to buy or exhibit a nude chocolate sculpture of Jesus Christ have poured in since the piece caused a stir and lost its gallery space in New York, said the artist who made it. But artist Cosimo Cavallaro said Saturday he also has received some threats, so he is storing the sculpture for now in a refrigerated truck in an undisclosed location.

Cavallaro said the controversy spurred "thousands" of e-mail messages from people offering help, donations and exhibition space.

"It's quite amazing," he said

To see the complete article, click here