Male Nude Models
dedicated to present and past nude models who would like to share their experiences with those that have or would like to model nude.
- created by eanude
Beware
Return to DiscussionsI worked as a model intermittently for many years, in art schools, upstairs rooms at pubs, church halls . I found it exciting and the company very friendly. Then it all came to a very sad end.
I was working as a nude model at a local art school. I had never previously posed for a sculpture class. What I didn't realise was that the sitting position for a sculpture class would be much more dangerous than for a drawing class. I remember taking my clothes off and putting them in a chaotic cupboard in the corner of the studio. The instructor helped me up to a podium about two feet high.
Sitting on a high stool with my feet on the cross-supports about 6 inches off the floor. My head must have been at least seven feet above the concrete floor. After about 50 minutes I had a short spell of back ache. I did not think much about it. It was mild for January. Despite having been still for 50 minutes, I did not feel cold. Suddenly I began to have tunnel vision. Blackness closed in. Three or four seconds later I passed out. I know nothing of what happened after that until I woke up lying on the floor with two ambulance men looking over me before pinching my leg and asking whether I could feel anything. I couldn't. I felt nothing as I broke my neck at C4/5. I also had an injury above my right eye. I guess I must have knocked my head back sharply as I fell. My spinal injury left me with paralysis and very limited sensation below my chest, severe spasticity and double incontinence.
Obviously I deeply regret taking that final appointment. It was at short notice to replace a woman. This sometimes happens when it is the wrong time of the month for her. Sometimes I feel that the whole episode as a model was silly; at other times I look back and remember the excitement, the fun and the friendliness of the company. Because of what happened to me, I am reluctant to suggest modelling to others; but it can be a source of excitement and pleasure if you do not rely on the instructor to keep you in a safe position.
It seems to me that there is a liability issue here. Surely there are OSHA regulations regarding the safety of art models. It looks like adequate safety measures were not taken. I suggest that you discuss this with a lawyer if you have not already.
Very sad
Im a model and any poses shouldnt be more than 20 mins duration as you need to move your body and regain circulation. By all means you may resume the same pose after a stretch break. A 50 min continuous pose is extreme.
Also even casual modelling its still your place o& work and subject to OSH laws so your safety an$ comfort is paramount