The Bather with Outstretched Arms 1980 - 1981

Graham Nickson made this painting, The Bather with Outstretched Arms, from oil on five panels. Just look at that blue, it’s a proper mood. I'm drawn to the way the paint is applied, those visible brushstrokes forming the water and sky. There's no hiding here, just raw, physical engagement with the medium. It's not about illusion, but about the act of painting itself. The surface is built up with layers, each stroke contributing to a sense of depth and texture. And that figure! Treading carefully on a yellow surface. There’s a vulnerability in that stance, a moment of anticipation before the plunge. The way Nickson captures the light on the figure's back, using subtle shifts in tone, adds to the emotional resonance. The painting reminds me of work by Lois Dodd, there’s the same interest in the everyday, in quiet moments of observation and reflection. It's a conversation that continues, each artist adding their voice to the mix.