“The naked body, despite our hesitance to expose it publicly, is the most natural form in which we can appear. Strangely enough, over the centuries, human civilization has increasingly concealed and filled the body with apprehension. My goal is to bring this body out of the shadows, utilizing the power of shadow itself. Whether man or woman, young or old, full-bodied or slender, these distinctions hold no significance. It's not about aesthetics alone. It's about capturing the inherent naturalness or the essence of the pose. The language of the body speaks through every posture and gesture, each holding meaning and deserving of representation. I aim for a simplicity that is visible without imposing or shocking."
“The naked body, despite our hesitance to expose it publicly, is the most natural form in which we can appear. Strangely enough, over the centuries, human civilization has increasingly concealed and filled the body with apprehension. My goal is to bring this body out of the shadows, utilizing the power of shadow itself. Whether man or woman, young or old, full-bodied or slender, these distinctions hold no significance. It's not about aesthetics alone. It's about capturing the inherent naturalness or the essence of the pose. The language of the body speaks through every posture and gesture, each holding meaning and deserving of representation. I aim for a simplicity that is visible without imposing or shocking.
In terms of technique, I wholeheartedly embrace charcoal: its ability to create a chiaroscuro effect is truly captivating. It's akin to painting with lines, harnessing light through the medium of shadow. Charcoal offers a great sense of pictoriality and plasticity. Moreover, mastering it is a long and arduous journey, requiring a high level of technical skill using only lines. This process harmoniously incorporates composition, perspective, proportion, light play, and emotion onto paper, suggesting a profound sense of intuition and spontaneity.” - Ludo Goderis
“Ludo Goderis primarily explores the timeless theme of the human nude form, deeply rooted in artistic traditions dating back to ancient Greece and Rome. His charcoal-on-paper works pay homage to Renaissance and Baroque techniques.
Goderis’ drawings are marked by a dynamic, almost spontaneous quality, characterized by quick, rhythmic strokes that beckon the viewer to meander along the contours of the composition. This dynamic interplay between light and shadow, known as chiaroscuro, lends his creations an unmistakable vitality, evoking the timeless influence of the Old Masters.
Yet, within this classical framework, Goderis boldly embraces a contemporary perspective. His subjects, confidently rendered, adopt simple yet assertive poses that capture the nude body with a graceful and sophisticated aura. It is here that we discern a profound departure from puritanical notions of modesty or the modern tendency towards crass vulgarity. Goderis, in his work, exudes a profound comfort with the human form in its natural state, presenting it as a celebration of life itself.
Remarkably, Goderis achieves this feat with ease. With a judicious selection of strokes, whether using the point or the side of the charcoal stick, and a deft application of smudges, he artfully delineates each new pose. His minimalist approach speaks volumes distilling the essence of each subject with precision.
In a world that often teeters between the dichotomies of modesty and immodesty, Goderis emerges as a herald of the human form's intrinsic beauty and grace. His work transcends temporal boundaries, traversing the realms of art history and contemporary expression. It serves as a testament to the enduring fascination with the nude form as a vessel of life, resonating with connoisseurs and collectors alike.
For those seeking to delve deeper into the captivating realm of Ludo Goderis's artistry, please visit the artist’s Instagram page to admire and collect his drawings.”
- Myrina Tunberg Georgiou
Chief curator at Circle Foundation of the Arts
