Painter John Campbell and his wife, Julia Vaz-Campbell, stand next to a pair of Campbell's paintings at Dead Sexy - The Nude Who Loved Me art party last Friday on Washington Drive, St Andrew. Campbell was dressed as Rorschach, a character from the film Watchmen, while Vaz-Campbell was impersonating the 'Bond girl' from Goldfinger. -photos by LeVaughn Flynn

Interpreting art has always been a subjective art. What may seem ethereal to one person may be mundane to another. And therein lies the simplistic beauty of art, accommodating each interpretation and conforming to each nuance.

While interpretations and meanings remain personal, a new generation of artists and art enthusiasts is aiming to make the interpretive experience more accessible. And that is by taking the art out of the galleries to places where young adults converge most - parties.

"The art galleries, they don't connect with the audience. It seems so distant and we're trying to close that divide," said Andrea Davis, one of the organisers of the Buy Art pARTy series. Last Friday, Davis, Stefan Clarke and Michelle Simone Clarke, known as SiiM, hosted Dead Sexy - The Nude Who Loved Me, the third of the pARTy series, on Washington Drive, St Andrew.

Human sexuality

The event began in May and serves as the canvas for all forms of art - painting, sculptures, drawings, digital photography - most of the artists being graduates of the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts.

Most of the art last Friday represented human sexuality and relationships, the bare bottoms and voluptuous breasts depicting 'The Nude Who Loved Me' theme. Stefan Clarke's Fetish series of digital photos was erotic and avant-garde, while Patrick Kitson's drawings were compelling, his impeccable detailing in shades and shadows a standout.

Of course it was a party, so Coppershot served up an eclectic mix of dancehall, alternative and house music. And the Halloween theme was not lost on the patrons or the artists. Painter John Campbell impersonated Rorschach from the film Watchmen, and SiiM was dressed as May Day from the James Bond movie A View to a Kill.

The venue, which was designed by SiiM, who is an architect, was also presented as an art piece.

SiiM said they were motivated to start the pARTy series after realising that their edgy work sometimes conflicted with the portraits of landscapes and Afro-centric figures in galleries.

"We wanted to provide a place where people are not culturally hung up," she said.

Michelle Simone Clarke, otherwise known as SiiM, is one of the originators of the event.

SiiM said the event is more of an experience. All the artists are usually in attendance, the setting is intimate and the art accessible in many ways. There was a Twitter fountain, where text and photo updates were displayed instantly on a monitor, and smaller digital versions of the pieces were on sale.

"We are trying to change the way you buy art. Most of the people who buy art in galleries are affluent. We're presenting an alternative to younger artists and art buyers who may not be as economically stable," said SiiM.

The artists said they loved the idea and the possibilities that abound.

"The aim is about making a connection," said Campbell. "The medium is great; it demystifies the arts."

Marlon James, a commercial photographer, said the pARTy appeals to different people as the art gallery atmosphere gives the impression "you have to be of a certain intellectual class".

Khalil Deane, who had on display his Brand New Shoes series of paintings, said the event is filling a void that has been ignored.

"Society mainly focuses on music (and other performing arts). We need to focus on the visual arts. The public needs to be informed and exposed more to what's out there, and that's why this is an excellent idea," said Deane.

Audrey Lynch, an artist and art teacher, said art serves an important role in any society and it shouldn't be taken for granted.

"Art exposes us to new things that will make us challenge ourselves and our thinking," she said.

"Art sculpts the mind of our society. We (as artists) have that power," James added.

Buying art

While artists may make their first stroke with a brush because of a creative passion, they also have bills to pay. SiiM and Davis said some sales have been made at the parties and they hope that with the innovations to come, more people will begin buying art at the events.

"Our objective is not just to develop art locally, but to develop an appreciation for it right across the board," said Davis.

Two of the paintings in the Brand New Shoes series by Khalil Deane.