Male Nudity in Art and the Sticker Dilemma

As we approach 2025, it’s startling to realize just how far we haven’t come. The celebration of the human form in art—particularly the male nude—is met with a baffling double standard. Art shows that proudly tout their dedication to the beauty of nudity often refuse to accept fully nude male figures. Yes, even events specifically named "Nude Nite" and "Nude Nocturne", while filled with bare female bodies, demand that male genitals be covered (at least it appears that way in the submission descriptions). Why? Why are we still so afraid of the male body?

For context, some might argue that an erect penis suggests sexual arousal, which could be deemed inappropriate in an art context. But let's be clear: these restrictions extend far beyond erections. At many exhibitions, the male form is systematically censored—completely prohibited from being shown in its entirety. Yet, female nudes are displayed without hesitation. This double standard isn’t just disappointing; it’s downright perplexing. If an event calls itself a celebration of nudity, shouldn’t all bodies be included?

I find myself questioning: have we actually regressed as a society? The ancient Greeks and Romans openly celebrated the male form in sculptures and paintings that are still revered today. Their artwork portrayed the male nude not just as a sexual object, but as a symbol of strength, beauty, and vulnerability. It’s ironic that in a world that prides itself on progress, the art world in some ways remains stuck in outdated, Victorian-era prudishness.

Sticking it to censorship

In my own attempt to challenge these norms, I’m creating a series of paintings that dare to present the male body in its natural state—though I find myself forced into a compromise. For shows like Nude Nite, my paintings will feature custom-designed stickers covering the male members. Yes, a sticker. It’s laughable that in 2025, I’m using digital and printed stickers to comply with outdated sensibilities. The sticker you see in the image above isn’t a joke; it’s a necessity if I want my work to be seen at these exhibitions. 

The painting featured here, Remote Worker, is one of the pieces I’m considering for submission. It’s a tongue-in-cheek commentary on our modern work-from-home lifestyle, but it also serves as a critique of the absurd lengths (no pun intended) artists must go to in order to have their work shown. The “Don’t Look at the Penis!” sticker is digitally superimposed here, but it will be printed and physically applied to the painting for the exhibit submission. It’s part protest, part performance art, and entirely a commentary on our current state of affairs.

I have friends that are HORRIFIED. "Don't! You will ruin it!" I think that's the point. 

While I support what these shows are attempting to do, and I am looking forward to entering, It is not entirely their fault they won't accept paintings like mine. It’s worth noting that the shows themselves claim to be inclusive and celebratory of all forms of nudity. Yet, there remains a persistent discomfort around the penis. It’s a reflection of broader societal attitudes, where male nudity is often equated with aggression or sexuality, while female nudity is seen as passive or purely aesthetic. This double standard isn’t just a minor inconsistency; it’s a glaring contradiction that undermines the very purpose of these exhibitions.

Feeling a lil rebellious...

So here I am, rebellious as ever, preparing my paintings with a playful arsenal of stickers ready to censor what shouldn’t need to be censored. The Currently on the Easel tab on my website will showcase the progress of these pieces, allowing you to witness firsthand the absurdity of the situation. As the series develops, I plan to explore even more creative ways to cover the male anatomy, turning this restriction into an opportunity for satire.

Are we, as a society, moving backwards?

It certainly feels like we are going back in time when centuries-old sculptures of the male nude are lauded in museums, while contemporary paintings like mine are met with restrictive guidelines. The message seems clear: the penis is too dangerous to be shown. WTF indeed.

In a world where the female body is constantly on display—often sexualized without a second thought—the censorship of the male nude feels not only hypocritical but also a stark reminder of the lingering discomfort we have with masculinity in its raw, unfiltered form. It’s time we challenge these outdated norms and embrace the full spectrum of human beauty.

Until then, I’ll keep fighting the good fight—with stickers and all.

Join me on this journey

Keep an eye "On the Easel" for updates. Perhaps it’s time to stick it to the censors and celebrate the male nude in all its glory—one painting (and one cheeky sticker) at a time.

Explore more "On the Easel" tab, and stay tuned as I continue this series. Let’s start a conversation about why it’s time to remove the stickers and see the male body for what it truly is: a beautiful work of art.