Life Drawing at Missing Persons, 2018. Photo: Genevieve Rankin.
How did a life drawing class become a popular weekly tradition for a hundred-plus people in Melbourne? Louise Klerks, who runs the Life Drawing classes, isn’t sure, but she think that it may have something to do with her approach.
‘The classes have been popular because they are inclusive, and also as a consequence of the increase of technology and digitalisation we experience in our lives today,’ Klerks told ArtsHub.
‘I set out to create an accessible place for people to come along, pick up a pencil, and have a good time regardless of their background or skill level,’ she said. ‘For this reason, my classes attract a range of people from all over Melbourne.’
When the classes first began at No Vacancy Gallery in 2008, Klerks would raid the dress-up section of her housemate’s wardrobe for inspirational costumes.