“Nude” at Nitroglobus in Second Life

In modern times, nudity in art – particularly photography – tends all too often conjure images leaning towards the pornographic, or which are at least intended to titillate. Yet the history of the female nude, from art through to photography, is both ich and varied, and has been accepted differently by various cultures and societies down the ages in reflection of the social norms of each.

As well as being associated with the more risqué / erotic, female nudity in art can be linked to  subjects as broad as the study of anatomy through depictions and interpretations both religious and mythological to the expression of ideal beauty and aesthetic perfection. But there is another aspect of of female nudity in art: the expression of vulnerability – even of innocence.

This is very much the case with Nude, the opening exhibition for 2025 at Dido Haas’ Nitroglobus Roof Gallery. The work of Kitten (Joaannna), this is a stunning selection of pieces which are both highly personal – as Kitten notes – and which again demonstrates her skill in presenting images that are both marvellously artistic and highly emotive.

I’ve long admired Kitten’s work, and covered a number of her exhibitions, and have always been drawn to her use of monochrome / black-and-white, which she marries with a panoramic format which holds the eye.  Here she uses both, combining them with a considered use of focus and cropping to present a series of twelve utterly captivating studies, each with a story of its own to tell, and most offered in a perfect, minimalist style.

Over the five years seen has been involved in photography – which started in 2020, Kitten’s abilities and style has grown in leaps and bounds to the point where  – to me a least – she is one of the foremost visual storytellers in Second Life arts. So much so, that alongside Scylla Rhiadra, she is one of the two Second Life artists I most admire for their ability to inhabit their work with a strength of narrative, meaning and emotion.

In this, Dido herself deserves acknowledgement; she has the ability to challenge artists to move outside of their comfort zones, to experiment, to reach into new areas of expression. Since first being challenged by Dido in 2022, Kitten has grown immeasurably in her ability to express through her art, and Nude perhaps represents her latest pinnacle, revealing not just her avatar as a nude, but her own vulnerability.

An altogether exquisite exhibition, one which deserves time to see and consider.

SLurl Details

• Nitroglobus Roof Gallery (Sunshine Homestead, rated Moderate)