Steep cliffs 2019

Editor: We're looking at "Steep Cliffs," an oil painting by Nick Alm, created in 2019. The figures seem almost like sirens, drawing us into the rugged beauty of the scene. What are your initial thoughts on this piece? Curator: It strikes me as a powerful subversion of the historical male gaze, particularly within the tradition of nudes in landscape. The women aren't passively displayed; they are actively engaging with a raw, untamed natural environment. There's a sense of agency here, of women claiming their space within the pictorial frame and beyond. Editor: I see what you mean. The figures aren't idealized in the traditional sense. Curator: Exactly. Their positioning, their physical engagement with the rocks—it all feels very grounded, very present. This isn’t about idealized beauty, it's about the power dynamics inherent in viewing. Does the artist challenge conventional power structures here? Editor: Possibly. I guess I was expecting something more romantic, given the landscape, but there’s something… raw, maybe? Curator: Precisely. And the fact that there are two figures, engaging with the space in different ways, invites us to think about a multiplicity of experiences, and challenges the notion of a singular, universal female experience often depicted in art. We must wonder whether this depiction of nature as powerful could also be perceived as a conscious critique of anthropocentrism? Editor: So, instead of the landscape just being a pretty backdrop, it's more like an active participant. And the figures feel more… real. Curator: Absolutely. And that’s where the contemporary relevance comes in, wouldn’t you say? It’s engaging in a dialogue with art history while challenging its traditional, often patriarchal, frameworks. Editor: This makes me reconsider how figurative art can challenge and reshape societal expectations. Thanks for that insightful perspective! Curator: My pleasure. And I am thankful to have learned with you too; this opens so many possibilities!