Standing room only: A modern human portrait
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.An exhibition of full-body portraits opened at the Flowers gallery in London this week. Depicting the human shape in its different forms - male, female, clothed, naked, twisted, aggressive or impassive, varied works by 15 artists reveal what makes us unique.
Claerwen James, Ken Currie and Ishbel Myerscough are among the contributors to ‘Standing Room Only,’ a modern look at the tradition of portrait painting and in particular the human physique as a whole.
The portraits exhibited attack traditional representations of the body as beautiful; instead the show offers twisted, confrontational physicality that is at once seductive and repellent.
Boshier’s ‘The Bride’ is faceless, wearing conventional white lace in stark contrast to a blood-red background. John Kirby’s ‘Transfiguration’ is a grotesque, yet appealing, portrayal of a little boy wearing girl’s ballet tights and slippers, set against a sublime backdrop. Alison Watt’s ‘Disposition of Linen’ is overtly sexual, yet the draped fabrics and discarded flowers and wreaths are reminiscent of more classical poses.
Click here or on the image above to preview the exhibition
‘Standing Room Only’ is at the Flowers Gallery in London until 4 September, flowersgalleries.com
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments