Life Drawing at Ajamu Studios
Drawing the Black body, drawing on Queer experience.
When we were approached by iconic artist-photographer, curator, archivist and activist Ajamu X to offer life drawing in his South London creative haven, there was only going to be one answer. Absolutely, YES!
From the beginning, our vision and Ajamu’s vision for the sessions were aligned - to highlight his critical work around Black LGBTQIA+ experiences and to celebrate the body-positive. In aid of this, Life Drawing at Ajamu Studios features models from the global majority - still very much underrepresented as artists’ subjects - who accentuate and celebrate the thrust of his work and their own inimitable Queerness, regardless of sexuality.
Notably, many of the models are posing for the very first time (as part of our Starkers Academy for new and developing life models), taking that first step in realising the creative and discursive power of their bodies, not to mention adding to the richness and diversity of the art subject arena.
Sessions are fortnightly on a Tuesday evening at Ajamu Studios, 198 Contemporary Arts and Learning, Brixton, South London UK. Materials and guidance are included, and all levels of drawing ability are welcome and encouraged, because…
…everyone can draw and every body is beautiful.
Kink and Draw
Since July, kink-and-draw life drawing has been a part of Life Drawing at Ajamu Studios, featuring a different model each month bringing their own, special style of art-nude kink.
We’re nothing if not inclusive, an approach to making, creating and participant engagement that we take seriously and constantly seek to stretch, grow, cultivate…
Participants are free to dress in their favourite gear - kink, cosplay etc. - and a changing area will be available. And as always, all levels of drawing ability are welcome and encouraged, and materials will be on.
A huge thanks to Ajamu X for making the time and space, and being the inspiration, for these monthly sessions.
Upcoming Sessions
Models - Past, Present and Future
