01/03/2022
EROS is a collection of sixteen semi-n**e portraits inspired by Renaissance paintings, by photographer Kris Farrugia. Currently on show until Friday 4th March at DESKO in Valletta, viewers are sure to spot the similarities behind the compositions and their 17th century predecessors. Bathed in the glow peeking through the imposing windows, the unclothed figures become subjects in the study of light captured on camera. The unmistakable mark of highlighting and contrasting most reminiscent of chiaroscuro classics.
The female n**e has always been a favourite subject of Renaissance painters. The medium of the works, and the body type chosen to pose might have changed the along with passing fashions and technologies over time, but the allure of the female n**e will forever remain en vogue. The three subjects photographed in EROS sculpt their bodies into poses that evoke desire, and through Farrugia’s lens, they also take on an air of tenderness. Light and shadow is manipulated to conceal or reveal different parts of the body, preserving an element of tease similar to the art of burlesque.
The anatomy of the n**es in the collection makes for ample use of light reflection, Farrugia explains. The defined bone structure and smooth curves are maximized during the meticulous digital editing process, highlighting the contours of these erogenous zones. The presence of symbolism through the colour of props used - red and blue chiffons and silks - and the use of three bodies in a number of the photographs harks back to elements of religion and worship.
Farrugia’s portraits exhibited in EROS are intended to evoke a sense of adoration of the goddess-like female, a nod to the exhibition’s namesake - the Ancient Greek God of love and s*x. The portraits blur the boundaries between fashion, fine art and n**e photography, and experiment with composition whilst exploring the artist’s unique photography editing technique.
Open until Friday 4th March 11:30am - 2pm & 4pm - 7pm at DESKO @ Studio 104, 104 Triq St Lucia, Valletta 📍
📸 Trinity II, 2021
Giclee Pigment Print
Featured in poster
