By Tina Depko
One of the most celebrated subjects in visual art is the nude human form.
For centuries, artists have used clay, paint, marble and metal to portray male and female figures in various states of undress.
The National Gallery of Canada is home to a selection of these nude creations, particularly in the European exhibit where works such as Auguste Rodin’s nude male statue entitled “Age of Bronze” and Henri Matisse’s painting “Nude on a Yellow Sofa” celebrate the human form.
Some Canadians take their children to art galleries and teach them about Pierre-Auguste Renoir’s passion for the nude female form, and the ancient Greeks’ obsession with nude male sculpture.
However, we cringe when nude art appears outside of the establishment’s walls.
A silly controversy erupted in Sault Ste. Marie last November when sculptures commissioned by city council were unveiled outside the city’s recreation centre.
Local artist Michael Burtch created three life-size bronze statues of fine human specimens – nude, and in various positions representing the sport of diving.
Residents gave an overwhelming negative response to his work, and asked Burtch to put bathing suits on the figures.
Burtch refused – and rightly so. The statues are now enjoying their first Canadian winter in the buff.
In major cities across Europe, nude figures decorate buildings, fountains and public squares.
Statues of naked women are as common to citizens as espresso, chocolate and opera.
In Ottawa, so-called “politically correct” works of art dominate public spaces in the downtown sector.
Parliament Hill is decorated with statues of former prime ministers and other famous Canadians, while our soldiers are celebrated in two monuments a few blocks away.
All subjects are generic in form and clothed in outfits of their time.
These sculptures, because of their locale, serve a political, rather than aesthetic function.
Even on Sparks Street, sculptures do not stray from these conservative guidelines.
The only nude statues here are a group of dancing women, but the artist has concealed any gender detail behind an androgynous façade.
The nation’s capital is doing little to set the standard of portraying and supporting visual art in public spaces
. Unfortunately, most Ottawa residents don’t seem to object to this politically correct and arguably, dull approach.
There is absolutely no reason for people to scorn nude art in public spaces.
Children don’t seem to give a second glance at a nude portrait in an art gallery, and chances are they won’t think twice about a nude statue in a public space. So why should anyone else?