Lewd or Art?

The recent display of a nude painting, in the atrium of the Ministry of Information, Communications and The Arts building, caused quite a stir. As the display did not meet Media Development Authority guidelines, the painting was turned to face the wall and then later moved inside the gallery. Some artists interviewed felt that the guidelines were too restictive. The Sunday Times subsequently published a feature on when is a nude offensive to the observer, and when is it art, as well as examine whether Singaporeans are too conservative or too daring.

The article explained that a nude is essentially a painting that features the naked human form rendered in an artistic manner. Usually done as an academic study, it is requisite training for most students in the Western art tradition. (Nude painting is a module under the Fine Art programme at NAFA) The female nude was often portrayed as a goddess or paragon of female virtue in the 15th century during the Renaissance period.

An Assistant Professor at NTU's School of Design, Art and Media was quoted: Whether a nude work is considered pornography or art depends on the intentions of the artist and the context in which the work was created. Pornography is created for the sole purpose of causing sexual arousal. Art may use sexual imagery to aspire to artistic merit.

It also got six experts to review seven classic nudes and this was one of the pieces:

My friend, please don't get alarmed seeing this nude painting or this topic here on my blog. I assure you that my mind hasn't been 'polluted' nor am I trying to be cheeky. As I tell some of my friends, my mind is 'kai fang' NOT 'hao fang' (yes, there is a difference between the two). I'm one of those who wouldn't batter an eyelid nor turn red at the sight of a nude painting, whether male or female nude. Well, the human form has many curves and the female body lines are especially beautiful. Actually hor, it was the cat in the painting that caught my eye. Just look at the body lines of the lady and the cat - there is a certain grace, gentleness. Once again, I've no doubt that the Almighty is the Greatest Creator of all and He has an amazing sense of beauty.