Mall Galleries, London, 11 April 2025

16 Apr 2025

It was with a heavy heart that I declined an opportunity to pose for Hesketh Hubbard Art Society at Mall Galleries on 28 March as their ‘quick’ 15- or 30-minute poses life drawing model (a prior commitment). As the offer was made on 7 December last year, I’d expected to wait a long time for my next chance. Not so, however!

When on 23 March I was offered this clothed portrait model booking – for a date only two weeks after the date I declined – I couldn’t have been happier. Not all life models relish the prospect of portrait posing, with some perhaps only accepting to remain on the books for nude work, but I’ve genuinely grown to enjoy it.

What one loses in the range of possibilities for self-expression, one gains in having a much more direct – literally face-to-face – connection with the artists. That’s my view, anyway. And having sat for these artists several times over the years, the connection here feels even stronger; it’s like an on-going conversation.

So I sat for an hour, then we all had our 15-minute tea break, after which I sat for one more hour. Normally we’re working in silence but on this occasion it was shattered by an unnerving scream and regrettable public lamentations of someone present having what seemed to be a nervous breakdown of sorts. Quite shocking, and so sad.

Art helps us deal with our inner demons, but we’re all struggling. I hope they’re OK.