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Who was there at Fringe Report's First Monday 5 May - photographs & article
Anita Klein
Verdict: Sensual fragments of closeness
Art Exhibition - Prints
Brighton - Castor & Pollux Gallery - 6-28 May 06
Anita Klein shows 54 prints capturing the sexual and casual intimacy of families, friends and lovers - with grace, coyness, and a blythe delight in life.
A man shaves, in pants; a woman lifts a mascara brush to her eye, in bra and pants; their bodies are close in happy intimacy. A family group - man, woman, two daughters - companionably watch TV, each with different reactions. The group seems united in love. The others focus on the screen; the woman alone looks out of the frame, content. Other family scenes feature a woman and man, sisters, mother and daughters, grouped in their particular intimacy. A mother and daughter watch TV. A plump, sensual woman in short and low sleeveless dress holds a picture of a bird, her smile reflective.
A mother consoles her daughter. A glass of wine, a dress fitting, a daughter shows a mother how to use a computer - the shared evolution of a family, and its relationships, underscored by the permanence and confidence of love.
A girl in angel wings impishly lowers the top of her dress to show off her breasts. In a quartet of coloured prints (most exhibits are black line on white), a woman poses in full frame, seated, as a winged angel. Sometimes she's naked, in others films of lilac, red, and flowers. In bigger studies, the angels lounge contentedly on their backs, sides, tummies, in red, turquoise, scarlet - with frisky, inviting smiles.
A pretty naked woman with bright red nipples holds her crutch with one hand, and teases her hair with the other. Mum shields her face as her daughter learns to drive. A naked, hairy man casts an appreciate eye over his lover in her bra. The couple caress, make love, look at each other with longing, and fulfillment.
Works vary from large (100 x 70) to postcard-size, with most medium-sized (80 x 60) (sizes estimated). There's also a displayed portfolio of 29 works, many of which are repeated on the walls.
Many of the pieces are fragments from life's relationships, scenes from a day and night in life. Many are warm, sensual and realistic, studies in sexual contentment. There are women and men with expressive eyes and an undertow of passion. There are women with emphatic breasts, and curved often ample, voluptuous bodies - and pleased, passionate men.
The works brim with the evocation of satisfied and enjoyed sexuality, the care of profound relationships, a humour-filled acceptance of life as it is, enjoyment of the moment, all underlined by a profound human understanding.
List of Exhibits: (numbers and information as catalogue): 1 - In Rome with Anne (drypoint). 2 - Resting in a Field (drypoint). 3 - Maia Learns to Drive (drypoint). 4 - Watching University Challenge (drypoint). 5 - The Bathroom Mirror (drypoint). 6 - The Fitting (drypoint). 7 - Drinks by the Pool (drypoint). 8 - Watching Holby City with Nige (drypoint). 9 - Walking with Jane (drypoint). 10 - Nige Clears the Pool (drypoint). 11 - Eating Chocolates with Leila (drypoint). 12 - Maia is Upset (drypoint). 13 - Maia Shows me MSN (drypoint). 14 - Nige Spots a Rare Bird (drypoint). 15 - Nige Notices the New Bra (drypoint). 16 - Ladies Tasting Wine (drypoint). 17 - The Salad (drypoint). 18 - Anniversary in Venice (drypoint). 19 - Nige Swats a Moth (drypoint). 20 - Letting Go (drypoint). 21 - Nige Learns to Cook (drypoint). 22 - Nige Trims His Nose Hair (drypoint). 23 - Walking Along the Beach (drypoint). 24 - Dinner in St Ives (drypoint). 25 - Reading with Leila (drypoint). 26 - Looking at Photos (drypoint). 27 - Nige Tries on New Trunks (drypoint). 28 - The New Earrings (drypoint). 29 - Without My Nightie (drypoint). 30 - Angel Eating Cherries (hand coloured etching). 31 - Pink Angel Doing Her Hair (hand coloured etching). 32 - Angel Trying on New Shoes (hand coloured etching). 33 - Naked Angel Thinking (hand coloured etching). 34 - Angel with New Shoes (hand coloured etching). 35 - Angel on a Pink Cloud (hand coloured etching). 36 - Ladies at a Party (hand coloured woodcut). 37 - Lady with Hedgehog (woodcut). 38 - The Birthday (woodcut). 39 - Reading on the Beach (carborundum). 40 - Megan's Canary at the Vet (woodcut). 41 - The Red Chaise (woodcut). 42 - Among the Leaves (hand coloured etching). 43 - Nige in Moonlight (carborundum and wash). 44 - Pay TV in Amsterdam (drypoint). 45 - Round Angel (hand coloured carborundum). 46 - Waiting (lithograph). 47 - Blue Angel (lithograph). 48 - Naked Angel Flying (lithograph). 49 - Angel in a Blue Skirt (lithograph). 50 - The Afternoon Rest (lithograph). 51 - Reading the Paper (lithograph). 52 - The Olive Branch (lithograph). 53 - Blue Lady with Wine (lithograph). 54 - Unzipping my Dress (lithograph).
Credits: Artist - Anita Klein. Castor And Pollux Gallery: Beatty Hallas, Robert. Artistic Director - Mike Levy. Castor & Pollux, 164-166 King's Road Arches, Lower Promenade, Brighton BN1 1NB - tel 01273 773776 - mike@castorandpollux.co.uk - www.castorandpollux.co.uk. www.anitaklein.com
END
John Park
reviewed Friday 12 May 06 / Castor & Pollux
Fringe Report (c) Fringe Report 2002-2008
