The image of the male nude has been captured in sculpture and other media from ancient Rome to Renaissance Florence to modern day New York City. Nevertheless, the female nude is more ubiquitous in the artistic canon, and the “male gaze” is a subject of social debate.

But an exhibit on display now at The Madison Museum of Contemporary Art 2025 Triennial turns that debate on its head. The work is called Strut, and features a live nude male model posing in various positions on a sculpted base. These performances will occur weekly throughout the summer. Strut is the creation of University of Wisconsin Associate Art Professor Christina A. West. West says on her website that her work

is informed by contemporary art criticism and social theory about the gaze as a way to call out dynamics and politics that complicate the act of looking. Broadly speaking, addressing the gaze allows me to reflect on my relationships to others and consider what those dynamics can reveal about how we understand ourselves and others.

West spoke with Monday Buzz guest host Nicholas Wootton to explain more about her work and what visitors to the exhibit can expect to see.

All photos courtesy of Christina A. West

Web posting by WORT Producer Nicholas Wootton

The post Artist Christina A West Mixes Sculpture and the Nude Human Form at MMo... appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.