If You’re Willing to Get Naked, These Artists at a Brooklyn Art Fair Will Draw Your Portrait

The Other Art
Fair  is hosting
its sixth edition in Brooklyn this week with a special opportunity
for adventurous fairgoers. An artist project called “Get Nude Get
Drawn,” is soliciting attendees to pose for artists in a naked
figure drawing session, in exchange for a free nude
portrait. 

The project is the brainchild of artists Mike Perry, an
animator for Broad
City, and Josh Cochran. The duo first hosted the
event back in 2011, enlisting models on Craigslist for a two-day
drawing marathon that resulted in hundreds of sketches over the
course of two 12-hour sessions. They let each model keep their
favorite drawing, and sold the rest at a one-day pop-up
exhibition. 

Unexpectedly, they had a hit on
their hands, and a steady stream of volunteers ready to strip down
in the name of art. (They even tried out modeling themselves one
time and found the experience “liberating.”)

“Over the years we have had the
opportunity to draw many different people, from the bold
exhibitionist, the group of friends from out of town, or the shy
pregnant art director,” Perry told Artnet News in an
email. 

As a teenager in Kansas City,
Perry attended figure drawing sessions at a local artist’s studio.
“I started figure drawing when I was 15, and have never really
stopped,” he said. “The human body is a complex organism and every
time I draw the figure I discover more about humanity.”

For Cochran, his entry into
figure drawing as an art student was “simultaneously exhilarating
and brutally difficult,” he said. “I have never once felt like I’ve
mastered drawing the figure. I find it a really great way to
discover new ways of working and seeing.” 

The pair built a private studio
at the fair and plan to keep the model poses short in an effort to
make them comfortable. “Holding a pose for one minute may sound
easy, but when the sweat drips down your naked body while posing
and your quads are quivering, time moves very slow,” Perry said.
Advanced bookings are full, but there are walk-in slots available
every hour. 

In addition to Perry and
Cochran, eight other artists will be taking part, and each model
will get to take home one drawing by each artist. The rest of the
works will go on display at the fair, priced at $20
each. 

“From day one, the Other Art
Fair has liked to challenge visitors through both the artwork in
artists booths, but also within our project spaces,” said the
fair’s founder, Ryan Stanier, in an email. “I’m expecting a lot of
excitement from people wanting to get their kit off and drawn by
Mike and his brilliant art friends. I, for one, will be in the
queue.”

Here are the dates, times,
and participating artists. The Other Art Fair is on view at
the Brooklyn Expo Center, 72 Noble Street, Brooklyn, New York,
November 7–10, 2019. 

Thursday, November 7: 6 p.m.–10
p.m.

Mike Perry

Andy
Friedman

Kaye Blegvad

Taylor
McKimens

Friday, November, 8: 3 p.m.–10
p.m.

Mike Perry

Josh Cochran

Dadu Shin

Kaye Blegvad

Taylor
McKimens

Saturday, November 9: 11 a.m.–7
p.m.

Mike Perry

Josh Cochrin

Na Kim

Dadu Shin

Taylor
McKimens

Jillian
Evelyn

Amber
Vittoria

Sunday, November 10: 11 a.m.–3
p.m.

Mike Perry

Josh Cochran

Ellen Kahn

Na Kim

Kaye Blegvad

Taylor
McKimens

Jillian
Evelyn

Dadu Shin

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Brooklyn Art Fair Will Draw Your Portrait appeared first on
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