Nude shoot to celebrate the human form

EXHIBITIONS will be unveiled as models bear all on Saturday 26 August.

On the Ballarat International Foto Biennale’s opening day, Western Australian large-scale photographer Lauren Crooke will direct a group Nood Shoot in an iconic local place.

Originally stemming from Me Too research, Crooke has captured renaissance-inspired images for five years.

“I looked at the female nude, the male gaze and how women were painted by men, for men in the 16th century,” she said.

“I asked, what would it look like recreating these through the female gaze? I called out for anyone willing to do a nude shoot in a private studio and had 20 people turn up.

“It was organic, natural, and there was no sexualisation, rather strength, resilience, and different body types; so many ways in which women should be seen.

“From there, we took it outdoors in private locations, and over the years, it has become political.”

Crooke is inviting Ballarat’s cis and trans women, and non-binary people, to take part in the local closed-set shoot. Its location will be The George Hotel on Lydiard Street.

“So many women and non-binary people are able to reclaim their body as their own,” she said.

“When you’ve had no say or choice around how your body’s seen and represented, it’s a powerful act of reclaiming your choice and rights.

“It’s important to note that people will be fully robed and covered until the lighting’s right, everyone is in position and comfortable. We take the shot for 10 minutes, if that.”

The development of this shoot will be featured in a documentary Crooke is producing. Visit bit.ly/3DKWumr to register.