Can a Christian model nude in a God honoring manner (2 Cor. 5:20, Col. 3:23)? I often asked myself this question when modelling for college art classes and art clubs. Very few Christians have posed nude for art classes; consequently, there is a deafening silence on this occupation from a Christian perspective. I'm breaking the silence. Unfortunately, much of what I have to say isn't positive. While reading this thread, keep in mind that as a Christian male, I placed a much higher moral standard on students, artists and teachers than had I not been a Christian. Here are my concerns, observations, and opinions.
CONCERNS
Nude modelling has consequences that aren't anticipated. I've known of models who were emotionally devasted because they didn't fully realize the consequences of baring it all. For example, there is the unspoken expectation that art students will observe the nude scientifically and objectively without eroticism or other feelings, but the problem is that people don't always respond in the way we think they should. College students can be very unprofessional (eg, rude comments) towards models, causing emotional trauma for models who are already in a vulnerable position. I've seen it happen to more than one model.
If anyone tells you that drawing nudes is completely asexual, don't believe them! The student/artist mindset isn't always set on lines and shapes; thus, nudes aren't always viewed in a detached professional manner. Moreover, more than one figure drawing teacher has admitted to me - off the record - that drawing nudes can be very sexual, depending on model attractiveness, setting, students, etc. In their words, "You can never get away from the lustful side. Its always there, ready to surface."
Nude modelling is a very immodest act that has consequences inextricably linked with it, such as unwanted attention, sexual innuendos, immature/unprofessional students, etc. Its not question of if, but when a model will experience the aforementioned consequences.
OBSERVATIONS
Things are not always as they appear, and this TRUISM applies to figure drawing. Let me explain. According to SOCIOLOGIST, 80-90 percent of COMMUNICATION is by EYE CONTACT and BODY LANGUAGE. Only the model has direct eye contact with the students/artist; consequently, most INNAPROPRIATE behavior is only detected by the model. Figure drawing class behavior isn't always as mature and professional as it may appear. This is hard to understand unless you have experience posing nude. Your perspective is very different when you are CENTER STAGE, as a nude model is. You see things that aren't detectable to most students or to teachers!!
Just because teachers try to suppress the erotic and maintain control and propriety doesn't mean things will be okay. For example, teachers cannot control eye contact and subtle body language, which can transmit loud signals of lust, flirting, etc. The most seemingly professional classroom environment may not be so. Looks can be deceiving...eyed flirtatiously...seductive smiles...
Nude models develop thick hides because they are subjected to juvenile/unprofessional behavior from college students. Most teachers, from my experience, expect nudes to tolerate and ignore juvenile/unprofessional behavior. For example, when females flirt or tease (i.e., try to arouse) male nudes, the male nudes are expected to be "professional" enough to ignore flirting/teasing. Even if a male nude told the teacher, it would be his word against the female(s), and depending on the teacher, something or nothing will be done. This explains why you don't hear male nudes complain about flirting/teasing because most teachers don't want to hear complaints. If nudes complain, most teachers won't have them model for their classes again. They will just find another model who will not complain.
Nudes are gawked/checked out by students; it comes with the territory. Figure drawing etiquette forbids gawking/checking out, but it still goes on. And depending on the class, it can go on a lot. You Christian men/women who are thinking of posing nude for art classes, you know what to expect!! How does God feel about the body being gawked/checked out?
I knew of one art school where fornication occurred regularly between the students and the models. Sexual lust does play a significant role in some figure drawing classes. Most models I know have experienced sexual innuendos from students. This shouldn't be surprising when considering our sinful nature, for "All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23)."
Moral relativism reigns supreme in the world of figure drawing, "Do what thy will shall be the whole of the law." On one occassion, I expressed my frustration to several male artist about female artists making sexual advances towards me. Instead of providing moral support, they called me a weirdo because I was offended by the unwelcomed advances. This reminded me of the scriptural truth that bad company produces bad morals (1 Cor. 15:33).
The MAXIM that attractive people get more attention definitely applies to nudes. For example, if Salma Hayek, the actress, posed for art classes, she would get a lot of unwanted male attention. This is something to seriously ponder for those of you thinking of posing nude. The more attractive you are, the more unwanted attention you will get, especially you women!!! I've seen professional artist lust over attractive nudes because hormones (the flesh) can override professionalism.
OPINIONS
Few people can pose nude with pure motives, but more than a few can with impure motives. I sometimes wonder if there would be enough nude models for figure drawing classes if those with impure motives were excluded from posing for art classes. In truth, I think some colleges/universities would really be hit hard with a model shortage.
Why should nudity be forced upon art students if it runs against their moral convictions? Wouldn't models wearing swimsuits work just as well for these students? More than one figure drawing teacher told me that swimsuits worked just as well for learning body proportions and that exposed genitals weren't neccessary, except, perhaps, for those being trained as medical illustrators, etc. I disagree that all art students must draw completely nude models.
MY MODELLING EXPERIENCES
It was uncommon to experience unwanted attention from women in their mid-thirties and older. Most of my problems came from females under the age of 30. In general, older women don't gawk, check out, make suggestive remarks, ogle, etc. They are restrained and sensible.
My modelling experiences at universities were, over all, not positive because of the immaturity/unprofessionalism (eg, gawking, rude comments) I encountered from students.
My experiences at art clubs were, over all, very positive. The average age of the artist was higher than in university classes; thus, the maturity and professionalism was higher than at universities/colleges. This mature professional environment made me feel secure; in fact, I decided to no longer model for colleges/universities, only certain art clubs.
I stopped modelling because it was undermining my witness for Christ (2 Cor. 5:20). I was also concerned about some of the unwanted female attention I had received, creating some dicey situations. I received a lot of unwanted female attention relative to the number of times I modelled. The frequency of unwanted attention was too high for my comfort. Spiritually, it had a negative impact on me.
The vast majority of male nude models aren't Christians, so they don't get convicted about female attention as I did, which is one of the reasons you don't hear male models complain about female attention; some enjoy it. Moreover, most male models are too embarrassed to complain to teachers, so they bite the bullet.
CONCLUDING REMARKS
I strongly advise Christians not to model nude; it can really open up the Pandora's Box. But if you insist, I would only recommend medical illustration programs, some art clubs, and hhmmm, maybe gross anatomy classes. Stay away from colleges and universities, unless juvenile behavior, being gawked and ogled, and suggestive remarks don't bother you; however, it may bother the Holy Spirit that dwells in you!! If you decide to model at an art club, make sure you inquire about the integrity of the artist because you never know who will show up. Believe me, voyeurs and other weirdos can show up.
Adam and Eve were our ambassadors. When they saw their nakedness because of sin, they of their own volition covered their nakedness (Gen. 3:7), and God gave them clothes (Gen. 3:21). I wonder if they would pose nude for art classes? HHHhhmm..When I get to heaven, I'll ask them.
One last thing, jealous husbands/boy friends have been know to storm into figure drawing classes demanding an explanation from their wives/girl friends as to why they are drawing nude males. Moreover, I know one teacher who had a jealous boy friend storm into his office demanding an explanation as to why the teacher was allowing his woman to pose nude. For these reasons and many more, many teachers don't want to teach figure drawing classes. Few teachers want to deal with jealous boy friends, weird models, juvenile student behavior, etc.
Here's a website with a good article on whether Christians should draw nudes: www.alteredegg.com/stuff/artists/nudes.php
GOD BLESS.
CONCERNS
Nude modelling has consequences that aren't anticipated. I've known of models who were emotionally devasted because they didn't fully realize the consequences of baring it all. For example, there is the unspoken expectation that art students will observe the nude scientifically and objectively without eroticism or other feelings, but the problem is that people don't always respond in the way we think they should. College students can be very unprofessional (eg, rude comments) towards models, causing emotional trauma for models who are already in a vulnerable position. I've seen it happen to more than one model.
If anyone tells you that drawing nudes is completely asexual, don't believe them! The student/artist mindset isn't always set on lines and shapes; thus, nudes aren't always viewed in a detached professional manner. Moreover, more than one figure drawing teacher has admitted to me - off the record - that drawing nudes can be very sexual, depending on model attractiveness, setting, students, etc. In their words, "You can never get away from the lustful side. Its always there, ready to surface."
Nude modelling is a very immodest act that has consequences inextricably linked with it, such as unwanted attention, sexual innuendos, immature/unprofessional students, etc. Its not question of if, but when a model will experience the aforementioned consequences.
OBSERVATIONS
Things are not always as they appear, and this TRUISM applies to figure drawing. Let me explain. According to SOCIOLOGIST, 80-90 percent of COMMUNICATION is by EYE CONTACT and BODY LANGUAGE. Only the model has direct eye contact with the students/artist; consequently, most INNAPROPRIATE behavior is only detected by the model. Figure drawing class behavior isn't always as mature and professional as it may appear. This is hard to understand unless you have experience posing nude. Your perspective is very different when you are CENTER STAGE, as a nude model is. You see things that aren't detectable to most students or to teachers!!
Just because teachers try to suppress the erotic and maintain control and propriety doesn't mean things will be okay. For example, teachers cannot control eye contact and subtle body language, which can transmit loud signals of lust, flirting, etc. The most seemingly professional classroom environment may not be so. Looks can be deceiving...eyed flirtatiously...seductive smiles...
Nude models develop thick hides because they are subjected to juvenile/unprofessional behavior from college students. Most teachers, from my experience, expect nudes to tolerate and ignore juvenile/unprofessional behavior. For example, when females flirt or tease (i.e., try to arouse) male nudes, the male nudes are expected to be "professional" enough to ignore flirting/teasing. Even if a male nude told the teacher, it would be his word against the female(s), and depending on the teacher, something or nothing will be done. This explains why you don't hear male nudes complain about flirting/teasing because most teachers don't want to hear complaints. If nudes complain, most teachers won't have them model for their classes again. They will just find another model who will not complain.
Nudes are gawked/checked out by students; it comes with the territory. Figure drawing etiquette forbids gawking/checking out, but it still goes on. And depending on the class, it can go on a lot. You Christian men/women who are thinking of posing nude for art classes, you know what to expect!! How does God feel about the body being gawked/checked out?
I knew of one art school where fornication occurred regularly between the students and the models. Sexual lust does play a significant role in some figure drawing classes. Most models I know have experienced sexual innuendos from students. This shouldn't be surprising when considering our sinful nature, for "All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23)."
Moral relativism reigns supreme in the world of figure drawing, "Do what thy will shall be the whole of the law." On one occassion, I expressed my frustration to several male artist about female artists making sexual advances towards me. Instead of providing moral support, they called me a weirdo because I was offended by the unwelcomed advances. This reminded me of the scriptural truth that bad company produces bad morals (1 Cor. 15:33).
The MAXIM that attractive people get more attention definitely applies to nudes. For example, if Salma Hayek, the actress, posed for art classes, she would get a lot of unwanted male attention. This is something to seriously ponder for those of you thinking of posing nude. The more attractive you are, the more unwanted attention you will get, especially you women!!! I've seen professional artist lust over attractive nudes because hormones (the flesh) can override professionalism.
OPINIONS
Few people can pose nude with pure motives, but more than a few can with impure motives. I sometimes wonder if there would be enough nude models for figure drawing classes if those with impure motives were excluded from posing for art classes. In truth, I think some colleges/universities would really be hit hard with a model shortage.
Why should nudity be forced upon art students if it runs against their moral convictions? Wouldn't models wearing swimsuits work just as well for these students? More than one figure drawing teacher told me that swimsuits worked just as well for learning body proportions and that exposed genitals weren't neccessary, except, perhaps, for those being trained as medical illustrators, etc. I disagree that all art students must draw completely nude models.
MY MODELLING EXPERIENCES
It was uncommon to experience unwanted attention from women in their mid-thirties and older. Most of my problems came from females under the age of 30. In general, older women don't gawk, check out, make suggestive remarks, ogle, etc. They are restrained and sensible.
My modelling experiences at universities were, over all, not positive because of the immaturity/unprofessionalism (eg, gawking, rude comments) I encountered from students.
My experiences at art clubs were, over all, very positive. The average age of the artist was higher than in university classes; thus, the maturity and professionalism was higher than at universities/colleges. This mature professional environment made me feel secure; in fact, I decided to no longer model for colleges/universities, only certain art clubs.
I stopped modelling because it was undermining my witness for Christ (2 Cor. 5:20). I was also concerned about some of the unwanted female attention I had received, creating some dicey situations. I received a lot of unwanted female attention relative to the number of times I modelled. The frequency of unwanted attention was too high for my comfort. Spiritually, it had a negative impact on me.
The vast majority of male nude models aren't Christians, so they don't get convicted about female attention as I did, which is one of the reasons you don't hear male models complain about female attention; some enjoy it. Moreover, most male models are too embarrassed to complain to teachers, so they bite the bullet.
CONCLUDING REMARKS
I strongly advise Christians not to model nude; it can really open up the Pandora's Box. But if you insist, I would only recommend medical illustration programs, some art clubs, and hhmmm, maybe gross anatomy classes. Stay away from colleges and universities, unless juvenile behavior, being gawked and ogled, and suggestive remarks don't bother you; however, it may bother the Holy Spirit that dwells in you!! If you decide to model at an art club, make sure you inquire about the integrity of the artist because you never know who will show up. Believe me, voyeurs and other weirdos can show up.
Adam and Eve were our ambassadors. When they saw their nakedness because of sin, they of their own volition covered their nakedness (Gen. 3:7), and God gave them clothes (Gen. 3:21). I wonder if they would pose nude for art classes? HHHhhmm..When I get to heaven, I'll ask them.
One last thing, jealous husbands/boy friends have been know to storm into figure drawing classes demanding an explanation from their wives/girl friends as to why they are drawing nude males. Moreover, I know one teacher who had a jealous boy friend storm into his office demanding an explanation as to why the teacher was allowing his woman to pose nude. For these reasons and many more, many teachers don't want to teach figure drawing classes. Few teachers want to deal with jealous boy friends, weird models, juvenile student behavior, etc.
Here's a website with a good article on whether Christians should draw nudes: www.alteredegg.com/stuff/artists/nudes.php
GOD BLESS.