“Washing the Salt Off” is a 1985 artwork by Brett Whiteley, who is known for his contributions to the Surrealist movement. This piece falls within the genre of nude painting (nu) and vividly portrays Whiteley’s unique and expressive style.
The painting depicts a surreal and curvaceous female form in a shower setting, with the ocean in the background. It utilizes a striking contrast between the warm tones of the skin and the cool blues of the sea and sky. The figure’s body dominates the composition, bending in an unusual way that emphasizes its form and voluptuousness. Water streams down from a showerhead, creating dynamic lines that enhance the sense of movement and flow across the body. The subject is abstracted to the point of being almost unrecognizable as a human figure, with a highly stylized representation that is characteristic of Whiteley’s approach to the human form. The beach serves as a backdrop, adding a serene and naturalistic element, while the shower scene infers intimacy and cleansing.
