After local objections prompted police to order the removal of a nude painting, The Chair Gallery in Hay-on-Wye, Powys, has responded with a bold new exhibit.
The show, titled Slay Hay, now features 50 nude artworks by 30 artists, including a full-frontal male life drawing in the gallery’s window.
Gallery owner Val Harris hopes to spark a broader conversation about the body and the role of life drawing in art.
She describes the exhibition not as a protest but as an “educational tool,” aimed at normalizing nudity in art.
“Life drawing is the life blood of any artist,” Harris said, noting that such works are typical in art schools and museums but are often avoided in commercial spaces.
The controversy began in September when police asked Harris to remove a student painting by Poppy Baynham, 22, which portrayed a female figure with cowboy boots in a provocative pose.
The image, titled This is not pornography, stirred debate, leading Harris to encourage public input through a visitor book.
Despite initial backlash, the response to Slay Hay has been positive.
While the female nude previously displayed drew complaints, the male life drawing now in the window has sparked milder reactions, with occasional curiosity rather than offense.
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