The Guardian: Look away, straight male gaze! How life-drawing became more inclusive

The Guardian: Look away, straight male gaze! How life-drawing became more inclusive

2022-04-29

Article by Jenny Valentish. Photograph: Katy Marks.

“It’s not about the typical male gaze,” says Twyford-Moore of the models. “And I also like to find people who appeal to the queer gaze.”

NAS alumni Bligh Twyford-Moore, an illustrator and a roadie, thought a life-drawing club would be a “cool throwback idea”. He took inspiration from clubs he’d seen in Melbourne, both in terms of having themes (Gladdy Drawing Club has covered Wonder Woman, Hulk and Wolverine) and booking models who have reputations in their own right.

“They’re exactly the vibe I’m after – queer-inclusive, models that look different to each other,” he says. “Even in life-drawing, Sydney is stuffy and conservative.”

The National Art School is seeking an experienced Exhibition Offer with strong attention to detail to join the NAS Gallery Team.

As Exhibitions Officer, you’ll be a key operational support to the NAS Gallery team, helping deliver a vibrant program of exhibitions, talks, and events. You’ll coordinate volunteers, maintain gallery presentation standards, assist with production and publications, and contribute to audience engagement aligned with the School’s strategic goals.

To learn more about the position and to apply, visit nas.edu.au (link in bio).

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Sep 8

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The National Art School is seeking an experienced Exhibition Offer with strong attention to detail to join the NAS Gallery Team.

As Exhibitions Officer, you’ll be a key operational support to the NAS Gallery team, helping deliver a vibrant program of exhibitions, talks, and events. You’ll coordinate volunteers, maintain gallery presentation standards, assist with production and publications, and contribute to audience engagement aligned with the School’s strategic goals.

To learn more about the position and to apply, visit nas.edu.au (link in bio).

Buy tickets to join us for an unforgettable evening as we support the timeless treasures of the National Art School, our artists.

National Treasures is a glittering gala where the rare brilliance of our most esteemed artists shines brighter than a diamond.

Bid in silent and live auctions featuring extraordinary works by NAS Fellows and alumni and compete for once-in-a-lifetime experiences that money (almost!) can’t buy. Then dance into the night as our iconic Cell Block Theatre is taken over with live music, DJs, artist activations, immersive projections, gourmet food, and flowing beverages.

NAS Gala | National Treasures
Art Auction and Cocktail Party
Friday 21 November, 6.00pm – 11.30pm
Cell Block Theatre, National Art School

Purchase tickets at the link in bio.

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Sep 7

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Buy tickets to join us for an unforgettable evening as we support the timeless treasures of the National Art School, our artists.

National Treasures is a glittering gala where the rare brilliance of our most esteemed artists shines brighter than a diamond.

Bid in silent and live auctions featuring extraordinary works by NAS Fellows and alumni and compete for once-in-a-lifetime experiences that money (almost!) can’t buy. Then dance into the night as our iconic Cell Block Theatre is taken over with live music, DJs, artist activations, immersive projections, gourmet food, and flowing beverages.

NAS Gala | National Treasures
Art Auction and Cocktail Party
Friday 21 November, 6.00pm – 11.30pm
Cell Block Theatre, National Art School

Purchase tickets at the link in bio.

Join us for Open Day this Saturday!

Today is your last chance to register to secure your spot (link in bio). Visit our Eventbrite page to download the Open Day program brochure and plan your day.

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Sep 4

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Join us for Open Day this Saturday!

Today is your last chance to register to secure your spot (link in bio). Visit our Eventbrite page to download the Open Day program brochure and plan your day.

The National Art School is seeking an outstanding and experienced arts educator to join us as Head of Learning and Teaching.

The successful candidate will provide academic leadership including working closely with the Heads of academic departments and programs to lead the development and implementation of learning and teaching activities of higher education programs. This includes the development and delivery of curricula, the management of departmental staff and the development of learning and teaching resources.

The Head of Learning and Teaching is expected to provide artistic and scholarly leadership through professional example and will have a track record of original and innovative contributions to the advancement of scholarship, research and teaching within their respective field.

To learn more about the position and to apply, visit nas.edu.au.

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Sep 3

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The National Art School is seeking an outstanding and experienced arts educator to join us as Head of Learning and Teaching.

The successful candidate will provide academic leadership including working closely with the Heads of academic departments and programs to lead the development and implementation of learning and teaching activities of higher education programs. This includes the development and delivery of curricula, the management of departmental staff and the development of learning and teaching resources.

The Head of Learning and Teaching is expected to provide artistic and scholarly leadership through professional example and will have a track record of original and innovative contributions to the advancement of scholarship, research and teaching within their respective field.

To learn more about the position and to apply, visit nas.edu.au.

Congratulations to NAS Alumni Ali Tahayori (@alitahayori) for being named the recipient of the 2025 NSW Visual Arts Fellowship (Emerging). and to Sophie Cape (@sophiecapeartist) for winning the 2025 Hadley`s Art Prize.

With a history spanning over 120 years, the 2025 NSW Visual Arts Fellowship remains one of the most significant springboards for the next generation of artists in NSW. The 2025 NSW Visual Arts Fellowship exhibition is on now at Artspace (@artspacesydney).

Established by Hadley’s Orient Hotel, Hobart in 2017, the Hadley’s Art Prize (@hadleysartprize) is one of Australia’s most lucrative art awards that celebrates landscape art. The collection of winning artworks are displayed at Hadley’s Orient Hotel.

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1) Ali Tahayori, `Union and Separation`, 2025. Installation view, 2025 NSW Visual Arts Fellowship (Emerging), Artspace, Sydney, 2025. Photo: Hamish McIntosh

2) Sophie Cape, `Thunder shifts the shivering sands`, 2024, rust, charcoal, soil, pigment and binder on canvas, 148cm x 160cm. Photo: Jessica King

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Sep 2

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Congratulations to NAS Alumni Ali Tahayori (@alitahayori) for being named the recipient of the 2025 NSW Visual Arts Fellowship (Emerging). and to Sophie Cape (@sophiecapeartist) for winning the 2025 Hadley's Art Prize.

With a history spanning over 120 years, the 2025 NSW Visual Arts Fellowship remains one of the most significant springboards for the next generation of artists in NSW. The 2025 NSW Visual Arts Fellowship exhibition is on now at Artspace (@artspacesydney).

Established by Hadley’s Orient Hotel, Hobart in 2017, the Hadley’s Art Prize (@hadleysartprize) is one of Australia’s most lucrative art awards that celebrates landscape art. The collection of winning artworks are displayed at Hadley’s Orient Hotel.

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1) Ali Tahayori, 'Union and Separation', 2025. Installation view, 2025 NSW Visual Arts Fellowship (Emerging), Artspace, Sydney, 2025. Photo: Hamish McIntosh

2) Sophie Cape, 'Thunder shifts the shivering sands', 2024, rust, charcoal, soil, pigment and binder on canvas, 148cm x 160cm. Photo: Jessica King

Visit the National Art School this Saturday to peek inside the iconic sandstone walls of our campus.

See what life is like for our students by dropping into open studios across the campus, participting in studio demonstration, chatting to our academic staff in one-on-one consultation sessions and taking a gruided tour around the campus.

Make sure to RSVP in advance to secure your spot and receive a free tote bag - limited stock available! (Link in bio)

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Sep 1

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The Guardian: Look away, straight male gaze! How life-drawing became more inclusive