THE YEAR OF PAINTED FLESH

In 2007 artist Kim Nelson was asked to organize a body-painting project to assist a charity calendar featuring the nude. Entitled ‘The Bare Facts' the calendar raises money for people affected by cancer. Though initially it was envisioned to feature only his work, Nelson enlarged the project to include other artists.

“ I felt we could represent different styles of art as if in a gallery, though rather than hanging on the walls, they'd be on the backs of people in the gallery ”.

Nelson obtained sponsorship from Matisse Derivan, an Australian paint company, who were delighted to supply as much body paint as was needed for the project.

The initial project took place one morning in mid July and was loads of fun. Not one of the artists had any experience in body-painting but the feeling of camaraderie amongst the artists, models and assistants was truly inspiring. Best of all, the whole thing was captured for television.

Nelson also went on to design the cover shot for the calendar, this time inviting his friend, artist Anne Hind to do the body-painting honours.

The whole project culminated with a mass nude shot (as per artist Spencer Tunick), co-ordinated and designed by Nelson and staged on the slopes of the Yass River below the historic National Trust property, Cooma Cottage . The bodies were arranged in groups to shape letters that spelt ‘YASS' – the name of the shire in which the charity project took place.

Also, in mid September 2007, Kim Nelson staged a solo exhibition at United Galleries in Perth and, in the spirit of keeping things interesting and different, he decided to do a body-painting to open the show. Needless to say, the gallery going public of Perth had never been treated to an event of this nature at an opening. Once again, the whole thing was captured on film for a news report on ABC Television's ‘Stateline'.

Asked if perhaps body-painting might become a regular fixture of his future oeuvre the artist replied

“ Oh no . . . no, no! It was fun but I also gained a healthy respect for those who do it well, such as New Zealand born artist Joanne Gair . It would be a long time before I got close to that league .”

Top: The initial ‘Bare Facts' body-painting project

Middle Left: Detail from the ‘Bare Facts' calendar cover
Middle right: Detail of the ‘Mass Yass' nude shot

Bottom: Kim Nelson at ‘work', United Galleries Perth, 2007