The Naked Muse “Unveiled” exhibition opens 23rd February 2012 in London, and features 30 limited edition nude studies of the 14 male poets featured in the Naked Muse 2012 charity calendar.

The prints, donated by the 13 participating top UK women photographers, represent a stunning study of the male nude by many of the UK’s top women photographers, including Izzi Ramsay, Charlotte Medlicott, Julie Cook, Leonie Hampton, Lydia Goldblatt, Claire McNamee and Annabel Williams. Male “muses” include poets Antony Dunn, Andrew McMillan, Alan Buckley, Inua Ellams, Segun Lee-French, Tony Walsh, Alexander Hutchison, John Siddique, and Max Wallis, while the female photographers Those to donate poems include luminaries such as OBE Wendy Cope, Penelope Shuttle, Moniza Alvi, Linda France, Eva Salzman and Pascale Petit.

In addition to the 42 participating artists, award winning poet, scriptwriter and novelist Owen Sheers appears as a Guest Muse in the “Unveiled” exhibition. Owen Sheers, who bares all in a single issue photograph, agreed to support the project as an important cause. The print, shot by project photographer Charlotte Medlicott, is the only one in existence and there are no negatives or digital copies held.

Commenting on the exhibition, Charlotte Medlicott said, “Victoria Bennett’s Naked Muse exhibition manages a rare and precious feat: it showcases unquestionable talent by people from different creative worlds, whilst simultaneously making us laugh, moving us and reminding us that frailty and strength exist in all of us in equal measure, whoever we are.”

All artists and designers involved have worked for free to help Victoria raise as much money as possible for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

WANT TO COME TO THE PRIVATE VIEW & AUCTION?

Private View 23rd Feb 2012, 7.30 - 11pm

Ticket only event (please book with us)

In addition to the lovely muses on show, there will be AN EXCLUSIVE AUCTION of the prints to raise further funds, as well as performances from collaborating poets, including Max Wallis, Eva Salzman, Ernesto Sarezale and Graham Eccles.

Yes, that is right - you can bid on and win these amazing images!

The evening will be hosted by the fabulous Dominic Berry, whose show Wizard will be touring this year. As well as a chance to show off the amazing photographs, it is also an opportunity for us to celebrate and give thanks for the love, creativity, generosity and beauty that has made this project so special. And we would love it if you joined us…

The event is free to share, but you do need a pre-booked ticket as space is limited. If you want to join us, please email us before 22nd Feb and tell us a bit about yourself…but hurry, there are not many tickets left!

THE AUCTION (start time 8.30pm)

Set to be a fun experience for all, and all in a great cause, this is an amazing opportunity to purchase these once-in-a-lifetime prints and own your very own muse. Shot by thirteen of the best women photographers working in the UK today, beautifully framed by bespoke framers, Eden Picture Framing, and featuring nude portraits of 15 of the most exciting UK male poets from the page and stage, this is truly a unique auction. Our auctioneer for the evening is Alex Barber, who will be bringing his personal flair and specialist experience to our event. Don't miss it!

Can't make it to the Private View but would like to bid on the auction? You can download a Proxy Bidder sheet here, and email us your bid, but remember that it needs to reach us before the show!

Note: you are required to pay a deposit on each bid, via Paypal, at the time of submitting your Proxy sheet. This will be refunded within 24 hours of the auction close should you be unsuccessful. If you win your bid, the amount due will be less the deposit paid.

Download The Naked Muse Proxy Bid Catalogue here

WORDS, WILD AND WONDERFUL RAFFLE

To be held at the Private View on the 23rd February, featuring a lovely lot of prizes, including signed poetry collections, limited edition prints and photography books, paintings, hand crafted jewellery, selected independent press book parcels, an undisclosed item from the gorgeous Shhh! Women's Erotic Emporium, luscious organic beauty products and even an amazing experience day paragliding above the beautiful Lake District. And of course, a Naked Muse Calendar!

Prizes have been donated by

SunSoar Paragliding
Shh! Women's Erotic Emporium
Pure Lakes Skin Care
Red Squirrel Press
flipped eye publishing ltd
Bloodaxe Books
Carcanet
Pretty Cuckoo
Wild Women Press
Blissfool Books
Natalie Dowse
Julie Cook
Gill Hands
David Morley
Angela Readman
Eva Salzman
Pascale Petit
Inua Ellams
Linda France
Alexander Hutchison
Christine Bousfield

the list goes on and doesn't stop until the night….and prize winning tickets will be drawn at this event.

All profits go to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

but wait..there is more!

As if you needed more to persuade you to join us at the Private View? Well, now you get the chance not only to admire the muses, but to eat them too!

Yes, that is right…you get to eat the muses. Or rather, part of them.

The Naked Muse Cake

Featuring a bounty of naked male poets for your delicious delight, will be served for your pleasure at the Private View. Go on, which bit do you want?

Created by Peaches and Cream Personalised Cakes, a local, family based business from Penrith, Cumbria, Rebecca's cakes all have a creative edge. Originally trained in Fashion & Textiles at Carlisle Art College, Rebecca has taken part in a number of charity events and donated her cakes as prizes, including a Blue Peter badge cake for Children In Need, and miniature cakes for her frock party event in aid of Breast Cancer U.K.

Rebecca is responsible for generously designing and making a fabulous and unique Naked Muse cake for our Unveiled Show featuring all our lovely Muses. The cake is kindly sponsored by Finlay Sowerby, an adult Type One Diabetes Sufferer from Appleby, Cumbria.

http://peachesandcream-personalisedcakes.yolasite.com/charity-cake-project---jdrf-junior-diabetes.php

Follow @NudeMuseCumbria