Telegraph Hill Festival celebrated its 25th year in 2019. When the festival organiser invited Esther to present a Spirited Bodies event she decided it was time for another ‘Have I Got Nudes For You‘ special. Much fun was had by all when we’d combined life drawing with topical news-inspired poses for the first time in December last year, and the craziness of humanity had provided us with plenty of fresh material since then.
We tweaked the format a little. In the first half, Esther and I would recreate eight news stories and ask a quiz question about each one. Then in the second half Esther would create three group tableaux with volunteers from our audience of artists, after which a quiz champion would be announced and crowned for the final pose of the session. An unexpected bonus was a party group joining in the fun to celebrate a birthday.
Pose I – 5 minutes
To begin with, Esther posed solo standing with one foot on a football whilst holding an England flag aloft behind her head…
March 2019: England women win a first major football trophy.
The England Lionesses travelled across the Atlantic where they came from behind to defeat Brazil, drew with host nation USA and beat Japan 3-0 in the deciding match to lift a major international football trophy for the first time ever.
Question: What was the name of the tournament?
Pose II – 5 minutes
Next it was me solo – I put on a golden cardboard crown and crashed sideways to the floor whilst clutching a cardboard steering wheel (we didn’t have a big budget)…
January 2019: The Duke of Edinburgh is involved in a car crash.
Prince Philip, aged 97, was not injured in the accident, which happened as he drove out from a driveway near the Queen’s Sandringham estate. Two women in another vehicle needed hospital treatment for cuts and an arm injury.
Question: What type of vehicle was the Duke driving?
Pose III – 5 minutes
Esther returned to stage with a small roll of paper that she proceeded to unfurl as if it were emerging from between her legs…
March 2019: Performance artist Carolee Schneemann dies aged 79.
Groundbreaking US artist, Schneemann fearlessly confronted taboos around sex and gender using raw meat, naked bodies, video and snakes. For her 1975 performance piece ‘Interior Scroll’ she famously pulled a long reel of text from her vagina and read it aloud in public.
Question: In which American city was Interior Scroll first performed?
Pose IV – 5 minutes
I’m nobody’s idea of the US President, but I returned wearing a swept-back blond wig and pointed to a crudely-drawn wall while clutching a fistful of dollars…
January 2019: Longest-ever US Government shutdown ends.
A budget impasse in the Senate over Donald Trump’s demand for $5.7 billion toward construction of a wall extending the barrier along the Mexican border, leads to the longest-ever Government shutdown in US history. Compromise without a wall finally ended the shutdown on 25 January 2019.
Question: To the nearest 5 days, how long did the shutdown last?
Pose V – 5 minutes
Time for a duo pose. Esther merrily munched on her freshly-baked treat from Greggs, whilst I stood beside her furiously tearing one of their paper bags…
March 2019: Greggs bakery chain’s annual sales pass £1 billion.
Greggs announced its best ever trading figures and gave credit to the media attention accompanying its launch of a particular product for a sharp rise in sales. The product in question divided the nation: loved by many, but scorned by traditionalists.
Question: Which new Greggs product was a January hit with consumers?
Greggs sees surge in sales, February 2019
Pose VI – 5 minutes
Another duo pose – Esther dumped a blue rosette in a waste paper bin, and I dumped a red rosette…
February 2019: Labour and Tory MPs quit their parties.
Eight Labour MPs and three Conservative MPs resigned to form an independent group within parliament. Now only the Conservative, Labour and the Scottish Nationalist parties have more sitting MPs than the breakaway group, which has since applied to become a brand new political party.
Question: What name has the group given itself?
Pose VII – 8 minutes
Now came the one Esther had been looking forward to most: I read the introduction to this news story, then Esther smacked a real raw egg onto the side of my head…
March 2019: Teenager throws an egg at bigoted senator.
Following the terrorist killing of 50 Muslims in Christchurch, one Australian senator sparked outrage by blaming: “the immigration program which allowed Muslim fanatics to migrate to New Zealand in the first place.” A 17 year-old from Melbourne responded by splatting an egg on the senator’s head.
Question: What’s the first or last name of either the senator or ‘Egg Boy’?
Pose VIII – 10 minutes
While I retreated to rinse my egg-splattered hair, Esther lay spread-eagle on the floor with a mass a plastic cockroaches strewn across her…
January 2019: Far-right government censorship in Brazil.
The rise of an extreme right-wing president in Brazil has led to huge protests such as the #EleNão women’s movement. In Rio, when the authorities closed an exhibition attacking dictatorship-era torture, the És Uma Maluca arts collective used bodies and fake cockroaches to protest on the streets instead.
Question: What’s the name of Brazil’s extremist president? (surname will do)
Pose IX – 10 minutes
After a break, the first group tableau was an inevitable ‘Brexiteers’ versus ‘Remainers’ pose. Esther was joined by three volunteers, including one from the birthday party…
Pose X – 15 minutes
Next we tackled sex education on the national curriculum. Esther dispensed condoms and presided over a class of volunteer ‘children’ (some very mature students)…
Pose XI – 10 minutes
Fair play to Billy the birthday boy who stripped-off to join our climate change pose on beach towels in unseasonable warmth. Of course, we all sang him Happy Birthday…
Quiz champion’s pose – 5 minutes
During the final pose I read out the answers to all the earlier quiz questions. How well did you do in our news challenge?
Answer 1: The SheBelieves Cup
Answer 2: Land Rover
Answer 3: New York
Answer 4: 35 days
Answer 5: Vegan sausage roll
Answer 6: Change UK
Answer 7: Fraser Anning and Will Connolly
Answer 8: Jair Bolsonaro
We had a two-way tie for first place so Esther randomly picked a winner and crowned Adrian as champion. He posed regally to bring this splendid occasion to a close…
The foremost work of Spirited Bodies is about promoting body positivity, feminism and empowering people through art – all serious stuff – but ‘Have I Got Nudes for You’ is a chance to have a bit of fun too. Hopefully that was achieved for everybody. Certainly it was great to hear laughter around the room throughout, and enjoy drawings that didn’t take themselves too seriously. So, yeah, really good fun – see you at the next one?
This corporate event, managed by Figuration, was for a company of architects based in Bermondsey. As a double blessing, it came with the prospect of working once more with Edward Wills: the charismatic group facilitator, raconteur, masterful artist and all round superb human being I’d encountered previously whilst modelling for Tottenham Art Classes. I hadn’t seen Ed in four years but found he hadn’t changed a bit.
The area assigned for life drawing within the architects’ cavernous headquarters was impressive: fully partitioned by heavy railed curtains, a raised central platform, easels for everyone, moody lighting, sound system, various art materials, and a trolley laden with beers, wine and crisps. All we lacked was artists, but I was happy to banter with Ed while we waited for the workers to extricate themselves from daytime toiling.
As an antidote to starting late, Ed got the group warmed-up with a series of quick-fire poses: 3-minutes, 2-minutes, 1-minute, 30-seconds. Next came four 5-minute poses, for which he asked me to put together a motion sequence starting from a position flat on my back then progressively rising into an upright forward-pacing stance. Drawings would create an animation effect when placed side-by-side or overlaying one another.
Another novel exercise followed. Ed invited each artist to select cards from which he’d cut geometric shapes: a circle, an oval, a square, an equilateral triangle. They were to hold these at arm’s length and sketch part of me viewed through this aperture – it was ‘through the keyhole’ art. Despite there being just a small card between me and those doing the drawing, it felt curiously like being observed by a dozen Peeping Toms.
After standing twice for 8-minutes in front of outstretched view-finders, there was time for a final pose of 13-minutes. I part-kneeled, part-perched on a low stool, twisting my torso and angling every limb. Ed continued to guide and entertain by equal measures, whilst the artists savoured this indulgence to draw with full freedom of self-expression. Spirits were high all round. It was a bright end to a highly enjoyable evening.
Postscript – fabulous drawings of my poses, below, made by Ed after the session:
Once more to Hoxton on a Tuesday evening for life modelling at The Workshop, one of the Adrian Dutton life drawing venues. With the room about half full, I began with one 10-minute pose and it followed with three of 2-minutes and two of 5-minutes.
Two poses of 15-minutes led us to a break, whereupon Mark, the session’s organiser, brought out his customary array of breads and dips for artists to feast upon. Teas and biscuits were available for self-service in the adjoining small kitchen.
I’ve never really been a fan of dips, but I partook of some tasty fresh bread, Bourbons and a mug of builder’s brew. When it was time for drawing to resume, I stood for what would be the first of two 30-minute poses that completed the evening.
For the final pose I sat upon the floor, leaning forward and resting on one forearm; my only lapse into an achy position. When all was done, favoured drawings were laid out for general admiration. Thus ended another reliably well-run gathering.
This was my debut as a model for life drawing at The Vine, Kentish Town so I made sure to reach the venue comfortably early. It meant I had time to order a glass of wine and get settled. When group organiser Simon arrived, he showed me to the smaller of two upstairs rooms where easels occupied every usable space. The regular attendees took up favoured positions, and an unexpected flurry of newcomers filled the gaps.
The number of life drawing groups in pubs has been growing with every passing year, but few provide individual guidance for artists. Here, however, Simon sets challenges and offers suggestions throughout. To begin with, the artists studied me in pose then drew me from memory: first for 60-seconds and 3-minutes; again for 30-seconds and 2-minutes. Next I pivoted in a 5-minute movement pose; slowly rising, slowly falling.
I enjoyed these unusual warm-up exercises and the personality that Simon brought to them. After what was a fairly dynamic start, the session settled into a 30-minute pose taking us to a break. I stood with a forward stride and one arm raised while each artist used just two coloured pastels to capture the stance. Half an hour later, with fine work created, they all decamped to the bar for some well-earned refreshment.
By the time they returned there was time for one more pose lasting 40-minutes. I was given leave to be seated, and the artists were free to draw in whatever way they liked. Simon restarted the dance-pop playlist that had been our accompaniment all evening, and continued to share friendly hints and tips. At the end, everybody stayed to review their work but, alas, I had to dash for a train. I was sad to go – it had been lots of fun.
Tiger Moth Divinity! On the Monsterlune catwalk, I was to be a Tiger Moth Divinity for the opening night of Foolish Fire – a week-long exhibition of work by Sarah Gilbert and Estelle Riviere Monsterlune. I felt honoured to be trusted with Estelle’s sacred Tiger Moth emblem, and relished the chance to show-off in another of her awesome fashion creations…
Foolish Fire
‘Foolish Fire’ is a translation of the Latin words ‘ignis fatuus‘ – the original name given to the flame-like phosphorescence caused by gases released from decaying plants in marshy areas. The phenomenon is now more commonly known as ‘Will-o’-the-Wisp‘, which itself has become a metaphor for any deceptive hope or unattainable goal… an especially poignant choice; rest in peace, wonderful magical genius, Mr Ben Hell.
Exhibition
Eleven of us were to take part in Estelle’s unique fashion parade at the Islington Arts Factory on Friday 22 March. We’d been asked to arrive from 5:30pm so Estelle could work on us backstage from 6:30pm, in time for the show to begin at 7:30pm. I was the first one there, so I took time to absorb the extraordinary collection of items on display in the exhibition – realised visions, passions and emotions; powerful and exquisite.
Backstage
Our salubrious backstage dressing room was the ladies’ toilets. All eleven of us fitted inside and began changing into our designated outfits while Estelle flitted between us, attending to every minute detail – ropes to be tied around legs, the attaching of wildly long finger extensions, securing top-heavy head-accessories, ensuring each garment was aligned or hanging correctly, refining each design to maximum fabulousness.
I knew from previous experience that our one-hour preparation time would fly by and Estelle would be under pressure. The situation was not helped when a woman walked in and demanded we all leave so that two young girls from a dance class elsewhere in the building could get changed. Despite us having prior approval to use this space, we nonetheless relocated our entire operation to the gents’ loos instead. Farcical.
Fashion show
Somehow everything came together and we were only a few minutes fashionably late for our 7:30pm start. Meanwhile, unbeknownst to us the exhibition space had filled to capacity with Monsterlune enthusiasts eager for our appearance. Deep breaths, then Estelle ushered us out to our catwalk entrance. Eerie lilting music began to chime; a special recording based on original piece by Ben Hell. One by one, we entered…
Catwalk © Flavio Matani
Katherine – ivy feral goddess from magical forest – © Richard Kaby
Michael – several faces possessed by an evil giant doll – © Balazs Studinger
Amelia – red ghost from Venetian carnival – © Balazs Studinger
Sara – pop art sexy creature – © Richard Kaby
Sonia – divine glamorous skull girl – © Richard Kaby
Pavol – PunkyFunk female trouble – © Richard Kaby
Gloria – naughty pixie from a dark rainbow – © Richard Kaby
Aizen – black flame sexy cat – © Richard Kaby
The music was to play for six and a quarter minutes as models entered at 30-second intervals. Our movements would be slow, elegant and graceful. Katherine headed the procession, while Estelle gave us each in turn a signal when to follow. Somehow lost in the moment, our soundtrack reached its end before the final three models entered, but we continued regardless as the haunting melody resumed from its opening bars.
Ruth – mystical eyeball lady – © Richard Kaby
Steve – tiger moth divinity – © Richard Kaby
Sallyanne – fire goddess – © Richard Kaby
Mingling moth
Upon reaching the end of the runway we stood perfectly still like mannequins awaiting the rest of our number. When all were present, we styled out the final few moments of music and then together with Estelle – most especially for Estelle – accepted the rich applause that followed. Our formal work done, we were at liberty to mingle among the guests; sometimes chattering, sometimes posing, always bewitching.
The end
The occasion was winding down and our audience began to thin, yet still we twirled in the open spaces till, with the hour approaching nine o’clock, a microphone was set-up for Estelle’s closing speech. She gave warm thanks to everybody who’d helped, taken part or attended this special evening, and once again affectionate applause resonated to the rafters. It was a beautiful moment.
Islington Arts Factory was the venue for my first ever life modelling experience, and this was the first time I’d returned since that defining moment in 2012. It has a special place in my heart so it felt to good to be back with special people at a joyful event. My congratulations to Estelle on an exhilarating opening night, and to both her and Sarah for the vivid sensory banquet of their exhibition. I am an enraptured moth to their fire.
Following Saturday morning life modelling at Lochaber Hall, I forfeited my last chance for a weekend lay-in by arriving promptly before 10:30am to start at Wanstead House on the Sunday. Somehow I felt reasonably fresh, however, so when all the artists were settled I began with sinew-stretching standing poses of 10-minutes and 15-minutes. A 35-minute seated pose – “compact”, as requested – took us to a break.
Over tea and digestives at the interval, a conversation between regular attendees and group organiser, Patrick briefly speculated on the number of years that various artists had been coming to sessions. It got me thinking about my own longevity – I made my debut here on 21 November 2012. Appearances have tailed off since the early years, with my last booking being almost exactly a year ago, but it’s always good to return.
Break-time socialising often occupies a happy half-hour so by the time we returned to our art-making there was just enough of the session left for one more 30-minute pose. Once more I was sitting, albeit now on a chair with one of my legs folded beneath me and hands resting on my knees. The silence was broken only by Patrick’s light-touch tutoring and my fleeting need to suppress cold symptoms. A nice, gentle morning.
The undeniable truth that I was going down with a cold had revealed itself early on the Thursday ahead of this Saturday morning session. Over the 48 hours that followed, all the usual symptoms manifested and – while nothing more than a common cold – I felt there could be arduous moments ahead. No-one craves a model with a runny nose.
The 3-hour sessions at Lochaber Hall always commence with a train of short poses, then settle into a single long pose for the remaining time. Happily when I was greeted by David, the group organiser, he said they would like a reclining long pose this week. What a relief! It meant I could tilt my head back and thereby avert a nose crisis.
We started off with seven 5-minute poses, followed by a 10-minute pose. I warmed up making all manner of shapes during this opening period and felt much better for it. An arc of easels stood before me accompanied by a larger than usual gathering of artists. When the quick work was done, I made myself a nest between heaters and lay down.
The long pose lasted 1 hour and 45 minutes with a break about a third of the way in. I was much cheerier by now, even voluntarily raising an elbow, a hand and one knee to make my body more of a three-dimensional landscape. I was comfortable throughout to the extent that, despite initial foreboding, this session proved just the tonic.
steve ritter 