THOMAS RUFF – NUDES
2012-03-05In 2003 Ruff produced the first nudes, culling images from Internet pornography, then digitally processing them, enlarging them as far as possible, so as to cloud the crude clarity of the original images. For this exhibition, Ruff has created a series of unique monumental works, enlarged to an imposing scale while, conversely, the rawness and carnality of the original images is blurred to an innuendo. Images such as nudes dr02 (2011) become painterly illustrations of vague desire in which anonymous women sport and pose, their erotic power modified by a muted palette and hazed resolution, while in nudes ar09 (2011) the fetishistic power of the female subject is all but reduced to lush formal qualities – a cascade of thick blonde hair, the curve of pink thighs, the glossy black of a stiletto heel.
Exhibition runs through to April 21th, 2012
Gagosian Gallery
17-19 Davies Street
London
W1K 3DE
