The Art of Rolf Ohst
Rolf Ohst: www.rolf-ohst.de
Anja Es : www.anja-es.de
The female nude, one of the oldest subjects of visual art, has definitely
stopped to cause public outrage. Women's bodies are universally
present in fine art, photography and in movies and are applied freely in
advertising, decoration and animation. The visual representation of the
naked woman has become ubiquitous.
Particularly the advertising industry has - over the years - created the
idea of the young, tall and slender woman with captivating beauty as a
role model for Western societies. In that context the general
understanding is that 'young' means 'under 30' and slender is defined
as approximately 55 kg. Only a minority of healthy woman can match
those standards, however, but that seems to be of no concern to the
international fashion industry. Business controlled sex appeal has to
meet those standards - women must sell - therefore they have to look
that way.
The devoted artist, of course, doesn't allow himself to be controlled by
any mainstream views and opinions.
Rolf Ohst, who has gained a reputation of being one of Germany's
leading contemporary realists sincerely believes in this attitude. With
great precision, he is devoted to the painting of the nude body. Many
artists do that, nevertheless, Rolf Ohst's art has a special effect on each
individual viewer.
"My aim is to express the liberation of the woman from her collective
constraints and limiting clothes. I am always thrilled when I realize what
kind of effect this attitude and consequently my art has on the viewer,"
says Ohst, when you get the chance to talk to him at exhibitions of his
work.
Few art dealers have the courage to display his art, but those who do
find out that the desire of the public, to see the true and real naked
women he paints, is just tremendous. There is a definite reaction to his
art, which includes all real feelings we are capable of : Lust of the flesh,
fear and loathing, boundless enthusiasm - sometimes a relaxed sigh …..
: "finally ….. ! ….that's what I've been waiting for all the time."
Rolf Ohst celebrates the female body as it is. Those who know will feel
the intricate sexuality which radiates from his paintings. "Earth" depicts
the ongoing exploitation of the planet. "Do not be afraid" shows a
sensitive and vulnerable young girl. With "Our Father" he expresses his
belief that all major religions in reality nail the women to the cross.
The size of his paintings tends to be huge, which is a true challenge to
the viewer, but also the reason for tension and the particular atmosphere
in his exhibitions. He paints obese women, passionate and lustful
dreamers, oblivious nymphs, mothers, girls, wanton curvy beauties,
mighty sensitive and fragile ladies and fat voluptuous thighs. He makes a
point of painting everything as it is, but looking at it, you feel his
passionate love for the subject.
