Mall Galleries, London, 2 December 2025

15 Dec 2025

Mall Galleries is home to the Federation of British Artists, a visual arts charity that consists of nine separate art societies. I’ve modelled in Mall Galleries many times but hitherto for just one of the nine: Hesketh Hubbard Art Society. Then along came an opportunity to pose for a second: the Royal Institute of Oil Painters (ROI).

Accompanying this year’s ROI Annual Exhibition, an ‘art event evening’ was to take place. As the exhibition had a theme of ‘Home’, three models were booked to pose in pyjamas and optional dressing gown – a very ‘at home’ look. A seat was placed upon each of three separate platforms, around which ROI artists formed in three clusters.

For me there was only one drawback with the concept: I hadn’t worn pyjamas in over three decades and certainly didn’t own any. Fortunately I was able to (ahem) ‘borrow’ some left by my brother at our parents’ house for use when he visits. Thus equipped, at 6pm I commenced my debut pose for the ROI… in another man’s jim-jams.

Even in unlikely attire, it was a thoroughly enjoyable evening. Very well attended, lots of enthusiasm from the artists, no shortage of talent either, plus a mince pie and wine at the interval. At the end, judges selected a ‘best’ artwork from each pose space and gave a prize for the one they felt was best overall. I reckon ‘my’ artist was robbed!

Actually, I’m never quite sure why competitive awards exist in the arts (Turner Prize? Booker Prize? ‘Oscars‘? tch!), where subjectivity of opinion is everything. I suppose it’s either ‘just a bit of fun’ or a means of generating publicity, depending on scale. I’m praying there’ll never be a ‘best model’ award. Please, please, no-one stoop to that!!

Most importantly, a good time seemed to be had by all. And although I didn’t realise it then, I was yet to get an award of sorts when “my” artist – brilliant Cristina Vercesi – contacted me a few days later to offer me her painting as a gift. No publicity, just pure generosity of spirit and quiet kindness. Very many thanks, Cristina. 🙏

Thanks also to Simon Whittle, President of Hesketh Hubbard Art Society, for putting my name forward as a model, and to Luis Morris of the ROI for taking care of all the models on the evening; and thanks to all the special people in my life without whom I would not… etc, etc. That’s my cheesy winner’s speech. 😀 My prize: art and joy. ❤