Watson does Caravaggio
NICK BOND
www.bnews.net.au
In the 10 years since the inception of the Ross Watson Gallery, Watson has photographed and painted many men, from the unknown to the internationally famous.
Unlike some gay artists, Watson doesn’t have a type, finding beau-ty in an array of models, whether it be beefy, gorgeous football types like Paul Licuria, or the vulnerable, intimate shots he produced of wiry Scissor Sisters frontman Jake Shears. Fans of his work include Elton John and former World Bank president James D. Wolfensohn.
Watson’s latest works include a dreamlike portrait of TitanMen porn star Alex Baresi, an economics graduate voted International Gay Porn Star for 2007.
The painting references Caravaggio’s once scandalous painting of St John. When Caravaggio unveiled the piece, commissioned by Cardinal Del Monte, it depicted the saint naked and clutching a ram, a symbol of lust, causing a scandal in Rome.
Watson pays homage to Caravaggio’s painting, making a pointed reference to the Catholic Church and its condemnation of the use of condoms, which Baresi promotes the use of.
Also new to the Ross Watson Gallery is an intense and timely painting of Olympian Grant Hackett, poised at the starting blocks.
For more information on Ross Watson and his works visit www.rosswatson.com.
Huge fan of Watson’s work. He is inspirational to the community, & shows the beauty of the male form in a unique way.