"The Nude'' -- A multi-media exhibition -- Bermuda Arts Centre at Dockyard -- Until Friday From the idealised nude figures of ancient Greece to the robust females of Peter Paul Rubens to the explicit sexuality -- some might say pornography -- of contemporary American artist Jeff Koons, the human form in its natural unclothed state has inspired and preoccupied artists since man first got it into his head to express himself artistically.

And no wonder. The human figure, with all its curves and contours and complexities, is unmatched on a variety of levels: as a piece of machinery, as a provoker of the senses, as a thing of beauty.

And with the exception of maybe taxes, few creations have inspired such passionate responses: the body horrifies and embarrasses some, stirs and captivates others.

Even now, we do not understand it entirely.

Since the beginning of last month, the body as seen through the eyes of some 24 local artists has been on display for all to see in an eclectic mixed-media exhibition at Dockyard's Bermuda Arts Centre.

The show, which is becoming an annual ritual at the Centre, has been a bit unsatisfying, consisting mostly of works that are technically proficient but otherwise flat and lifeless. In other words, many of these bodies lack soul.

There is, of course, one exception to every rule, and the notable exception in this case is Stacey-Jean Wainwright.

Ms Wainwright, who has some half a dozen works on display at Dockyard, has included a couple of elegant, very involving studies in the show, most of them mixed-media.

Perhaps the most elegant of the artist's submissions is her untitled collage on a wine-coloured background. A patchwork of torn multi-hued paper, the work has a marvellous fluidity, and effectively captures the form and musculature of its subject, a young male in repose.

Ms Wainwright's other work of note, an untitled charcoal, is equally expressive. Surrounded by patches of torn olive paper, the portrait consists of a nude male youth on a flesh -- wonderful choice -- backdrop.

Although Ms Wainwright dominates the show, she does not overwhelm it.

Henry Ward, who has a single work in the show, can take credit for a nicely contrasting oil study (marble flesh, patchwork bed) of a reclining female nude, while Valerie Weddup's minimalist wash-brush "poses'' -- reputed by the artist to have been executed in "five minutes'' -- have a greater intensity than her more complex acrylic works.

Ms Weddup's pink-toned reclining female in acrylic, however, does have a lazy sensuality that appeals.

In terms of other media, only Antoine Hunt's sculptures really spring from their pedestals.

Part of his "Nature's Children'' series, the obviously phallic studies of nude females make a clever comment on the ambiguity of gender and the unity of mankind.

As has been said here before, Mr. Hunt is an artist to look out for.

The Bermuda Arts Centre at Dockyard is open from 10.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. on weekdays and from 11 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. on Sundays. The Centre is closed every Monday.

DANNY SINOPOLI