Photographer Paulina Waksmundzki has embraced the human body as an art form, but things aren't always so black and white.
Waksmundzki, a senior working on a bachelor of fine arts degree in photography, is currently displaying a photo exhibit in the Cultural Lounge of Warnock Commons as part of the HUB-Robeson Center Galleries' "Art on the Move" program.
The exhibit is comprised of eight black-and-white, nude photos of three different models that were painted black. Titled Nuance of Light and Form Emanating the Body, the exhibit runs until Oct. 11.
Waksmundzki said a classroom assignment sparked her idea of painting naked women. She decided to take the assignment a step further with her artwork.
"Photographers should always put themselves on the opposite side of the lens so they can understand how their subject feels, especially when they're being photographed in the nude," Waksmundzki said. "Then the photographer will know how to better work with their models."
Jennifer Lynch, communications assistant for HUB-Robeson Galleries, enjoyed the exhibit.
"While some people might see the pictures as provocative, I think you should focus more on the outline and movement of the bodies," she said.
There is always a fine line when presenting nudity, Lynch said, but Waksmundzki does it in a tasteful manner.
"I work very intuitively," Waksmundzki said, "The only plans I walk into the studio with are my ideas for lighting and backdrop. From there, I go by how I feel, what I see, and how the lights play off of the model's shape and form."
The world itself is her inspiration, she said.
Waksmundzki, last year's recipient of the Leslie P. Greenhill Photography Award, decided never to title her photos, as to not obscure the viewer's own interpretation of her art.
Waksmundzki is also currently delving into something new.
While all of Waksmundzki's previous photos have been in black and white, she is currently trying to add a bit of color to her work.
"I want to paint people into an underground scene. I want to paint tattoo-like symbols on nude models with glow-in-the-dark paint," she said.
