POSE!
RECLAIMING THE NUDE
Fine art / animation / performance
by Leo Crane and Roy Joseph Butler
with special guests Fimbo Butures
The Batsford Gallery, 266 Hackney Rd, London E2 7SJ
B. T. Batsford celebrates Pride with the exhibition Pose! Reclaiming the Nude. Through fine art, animation and performance the Queer nude is presented as a means of self-expression, validation and power. Artists Leo Crane and Roy Joseph Butler build on the themes of their book Contemporary Figures in Watercolour (published by Batsford), challenging traditional notions of ‘the muse’ to present the model as artist and co-creator.
Works include original watercolours published by Batsford, as well as new paintings, a series of large charcoal drawings and animations from Butler and Crane’s studio Packed Lunch Productions. Featured projects include the multi-award-winning Nude Triumphant as well as L’amour rebelle, the first live opera on the blockchain (co-produced with Electrifying Opera).
The exhibition features a special performance by Fimbo Butures (Maya Williams and Lizzy Tan) on 30 June. This experimental work merges media, sound design, dance and camming to present a provocative haunting of the sex-working, performing body, drawing on Williams’ and Tan’s shared backgrounds as contemporary dancers and erotic artists. This is a preview of the production they will present at the Assembly Rooms at Edinburgh Festival this August.
EXHIBITION AND EVENTS
Wednesday 28 June, 6-8pm: Opening event and book signing
Thursday 29 June, 12-7pm: Exhibition open
Friday 30 June, 12-6pm: Exhibition open
Friday 30 June, 6-7pm : Fimbo Butures performance (£16.35 - Book here)
Saturday 1 July, 11am-6pm: Exhibition open
Sunday 2 July, 11am-2pm: Exhibition open
Sunday 2 July, 2-4pm: Life drawing with Roy Joseph Butler (£16.35 - Book here)
Sunday 2 July, 4-6pm: Exhibition open with book signing