Inappropriate Nudity

We live in a world where seeing naked or near nude bodiesin public, is inevitable and almost mundane.

But for his first solo exhibition, opening in October, Harley Oliver challenges expectations to explore nudity in unexpected situations. And whether it’s today’s celebrities, early explorers, 1930’s beach-goers, or even the Queen of England herself, no one is off limits.

“There’s a long history of the nude in art and nudity has an acceptable place in all visual media these days, we’re bombarded with it,” Harley said.

“I’m interested in what happens when the nude is painted slightly out of its usual context. The nude becomes naked.”

Though better known for his work in television, Harley’s first love was painting. His Great, Great, Great Grandfather was well-known English portrait artist Samuel Massey, who married the sister of his friend and fellow painter JN Rhodes. His Grandfather who, along with Harley inherited the middle name of Rhodes as all first-born sons in his family have done, was also a painter. So it’s hardly surprising that when Harley picked up a brush at the age of eight, he felt a special affinity for the art form.

In the late 1960s Harley went to Wimbledon Art School in London, painting English landscapes in an era of abstract minimalism. Post art school, Harley’s career was in television as an editor at the BBC, then producer and director, making documentaries for National Geographic and the Discovery Channel as well as programs for TV channels in Australia and New Zealand. In between projects he continued to paint, but only recently decided to dedicate the majority of his time to being an artist.

“Though painting has always been part of my life, other creative and professional pursuits have tended to take priority, so to now wake up every day and only have to think about painting is just fantastic,” he said.

This collection of work is provocative, striking, and a cheeky exploration of nudity.

“To paint the nude is to really cut through to the person. No guards, no ego, just them,” Harley said.

“It has been a labour of love toiling away on these pieces for the past year and I’m thrilled to see them come together for this exhibition and finally put them out there.”

Inappropriate Nudity features 14 large oil paintings, all created by Harley in the past 12 months. The exhibition opens at the Stanley Street Gallery in Darlinghurst on October 29.

The Directors of Stanley Street Gallery, Merilyn Bailey and Liza Feeney, felt Harley’s subject matter particularly resonated with them as the gallery has a unique focus on wearable art and the body.

“The title for the exhibition, Inappropriate Nudity, immediately struck us as both challenging and humorous. We’re looking forward to seeing how the public respond to this theme, especially in light of today’s obsession with body beautiful.” Merilyn said.

Of the paintings themselves, she adds “It was no surprise when Harley told us that he had attended Art School in England as his work shows real maturity and confidence.”

Inappropriate Nudity is on display at the Stanley Street Gallery in Darlinghurst from October 29 to November 22, with a special launch event on Thursday evening October 30.

Stanley Street Gallery here.

www.harleyoliver.com.au