POSE! Reclaiming the Nude – An exhibition by Leo Crane and Roy Joseph Butler

28/06/2023 6:00 pm – 02/07/2023 6:00 pm

B.T. Batsford celebrates Pride with the exhibition Pose! Reclaiming the Nude by Leo Crane and Roy Joseph Butler at the Batsford Gallery.

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. Some material from a production that Fimbo Butures will present at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival this August will be included in the performance.