Modelling

[ "Akemi-san" © 2006, Inko ] [ "Her greatest fan" © 2006, Philip Weston of PWP Images ]

I view my modelling as another way to promote my heritage and present authentic Japanese culture in an accessible and enjoyable manner. However, I am happy to explore other artistic ideas and have a good sense of humour, so please contact me if you think that we could create beautiful and intelligent art together.

[ "Akemi" © 2006, Philip Weston of PWP Images ] [ "Japanese woman with fan" © 2002, Elizabeth Meek ]

I really enjoy modelling for artists, as it not only allows the me to be part of the process of making a beautiful and original piece of art, it also has a therapeutic benefit, too. It is a very positive experience to pose and be studied in great detail in an atmosphere that is calming yet vibrant with creative energy. While modelling for painters, the discipline of remaining in a pose for the required time, followed by the imaginative and collaborative exercise of thinking up the next position is also excellent physical and mental activity. I am equally happy being a photographic model. It requires a different interplay between model and artist than that of life modelling for painters, so it is good to experience both activities interchangeably.

[ "Akemi" © 2006, David Nuttall ] [ "Akemi's hair" © 2006, David Gibson ]

There is something honest and refreshing about modelling. It allows, in fact demands, a woman to display her body in a way that is not normally acceptable in society, especially in comparison to the conservative academic environment in which I work as a lecturer of Japanese culture. With a number of female anthropologists, artists and educators, I am trying to promote a wide ranging public dialogue on the participation and depiction of women in art. Recently, there have been several cases of female teachers who have been suspended from their jobs for the "offence" of being pictured in artwork, academic articles and even during private recreation. Through sensible discussion and the presentation of all the positive aspects of women in art, we wish to change the attitude of education authorities, the print and broadcast media and the general public. Over the next few months, I have a number of modelling activities booked November 2007 14th November Islington Arts Factory Modelling for 'Life Drawing Class' 19th November London College of Fashion Modelling for 'Fashion Drawing Course' 21st November Harrow Adult Education Modelling for 'Life Drawing Course' 26th November London College of Fashion Modelling for 'Fashion Drawing Course' 28th November Harrow Adult Education Modelling for 'Life Drawing Course' December 2007 2nd December London Photo shoot with Andrew Clement and Jazz musicians 3rd December Wimbledon College of Art Modelling for 'Life Drawing Course' 10th December Wimbledon College of Art Modelling for 'Life Drawing Course' I have several modelling portfolios on-line and shall make my CompCard available as a pdf down-load (coming soon). In 2006 and 2007 I have been privileged to recently model for the following photographers and other artists: 2007 24th October London College of Fashion Modelling for 'Fashion Drawing Course' 17th October London College of Fashion Modelling for 'Fashion Drawing Course' 16th October City & Guilds Art College, London Modelling for 'Life Drawing Course' 15th October London College of Fashion Modelling for 'Fashion Drawing Course' 12th October London College of Fashion Modelling for 'Fashion Drawing Course' 11th October Kent Outdoor photo shoot with David Watkins 10th October London College of Fashion Modelling for 'Fashion Drawing Course' 8th October London College of Fashion Modelling for 'Fashion Drawing Course' 3rd, 4th & 5th October London College of Fashion Modelling for 'Fashion Drawing Course' 28th September London College of Fashion Modelling for 'Fashion Drawing Course' 27th September London College of Fashion Modelling for 'Fashion Drawing Course' 25th September Art Hub, London Modelling for Life Drawing class 24th September London College of Fashion Modelling for 'Fashion Drawing Course' 12th September Paternoster Square, London Photo shoot & Demonstration - "Tea Ceremony" to promote the new Intelligent Life section for the Economist Magazine 10th & 11th Sept London College of Fashion Modelling for 'Fashion Drawing Course' 3rd - 7th Sept London College of Fashion Modelling for 'Fashion Drawing Course' 2nd September Woolwich, London Photo shoot with Chris Abraham 12th September Paternoster Square, London Photo shoot & Demonstration - "Tea Ceremony" to promote the new Intelligent Life section for the Economist Magazine 10th & 11th Sept London College of Fashion Modelling for 'Fashion Drawing Course' 3rd - 7th Sept London College of Fashion Modelling for 'Fashion Drawing Course' 2nd September Woolwich, London Photo shoot with Chris Abraham 30th August evening Crystal Palace Figure Drawing Class Modelling for 'Fashion Drawing Course' 30th August afternoon Woolwich, London Photo shoot with Philip Weston 19th Aug Woolwich, London Photo shoot with David Nuttall 13th - 17th August London College of Fashion Modelling for 'Life Drawing Course' 9th Aug Crystal Palace Figure Drawing Class Modelling for figure drawing class 6th &: 7th Aug London College of Fashion Modelling for 'Fashion Drawing Course' 3rd Aug Woolwich, London Photo shoot with Bob Emmott 31st July London College of Fashion Modelling for 'Fashion Drawing Course' 30th July Woolwich, London Photo shoot with Sybille Yates 22nd July Dartford, Kent Photo shoot with David Nuttall 12 - 15 June London College of Communication Images of Akemi were featured in Camilla Blackie's Exhibition from 12th to 15th June 2007 9th May Pearlfisher Gallery London Images of Akemi were featured in the BodyMode Exhibition from 9th May to 15th June 2007 2006 19th December Knightsbridge Kimono & Life Modelling Session for the artist Jonathan Hughes 12th December The Worx Studio Fulham, London Kitsuke (kimono dressing) for Kelly Osbourne's photo shoot with Brian Arias 16th Nov Chalk Farm, London Photo shoot with Alexis Chabala 22nd Oct Crawley Camera Club, Surrey Photo shoot with Dave Millard 25th Sept Woolwich, London Photo shoot for Daniel Sumner 17th Sept Woolwich, London Photo shoot for Virginie Gehin-Durand (costume designer) and Hayden Pheonix (photographer) inc. kitsuke (kimono dressing) for other models 15th Sept Art Feast Hackney, London Kimono and Life Modelling Session for Tony Picanco and guests 12th Sept Glengorse Club, Leicester Photo shoot with Tony Thompson 6th Sept Woolwich, London Photo shoot with Philip Weston 3rd Sept Bromley, Kent Photo shoot for Leonie Huie-Martin 2nd Sept (Afternoon) Woolwich, London Photo shoot with Luigi Petro 2nd Sept (Morning) Woolwich, London Photo shoot with David Nuttall 10th July Woolwich, London Photo shoot with Mol Smith 9th July The Camera Club, Kennington London Photo shoot with Philip Weston 18th June Maryland, USA Photo shoot with Maurice Kerr 18th June Washington DC, USA Photo shoot with J Roberto Castro 16th June Maryland, USA Photo shoot with John Stilwagon 16th June Washington DC, USA Photo shoot with Rodney Mickel 16th June Washington DC, USA Photo shoot with Derek Bowden 15th June Maryland, USA Photo shoot with Vincent Knaus< 6th May Woolwich, London Photo shoot for 'Easy Living Magazine' 1st May Woolwich, London Kimono & Life Modelling Session for the artist, Dave Asthouart 28th March Chester Kitsuke - demonstration of the art of kimono wearing 19th March Woolwich, London Photo shoot with David Gibson 1st March Dartford, Kent Photo shoot for Photographic Society 21st January Woolwich, London Photo shoot with David Nuttall 18th January Cambridge Photo shoot with Rod Macdonald 11th January Woolwich, London Photo shoot with Abdel F Hamouda 8th January Dartford, Kent Photo shoot with David Nuttall 2005 13th December Golden Nugget Casino, Shaftesbury Avenue, London Filming an advertisement 16th November London Photo shoot with Abdel F Hamouda 13th November Circle Line, London Underground Filming as an extra in the movie, 'Coming Home' Photography Abdel F Hamouda (twice) David Nuttall (five times) Rod Macdonald David Gibson Walter White (for Easy Living Magazine, August 2006 edition) Vincent Knaus Derek Bowden Rodney Mickel J Roberto Castro Maurice Kerr Philip Weston (three times) Mol Smith Luigi Petro Oliver Prost (for Leonie Huie-Martin's shoot) Tony Thompson Hayden Phoenix & Virginie Gehin-Durand (costume designer) Daniel Sumner Helen Marshall & Lu Feifei Dave Millard Alexis Chabala Camilla Blackie Eileen Botsford Sybille Yates Bob Emmott Chris Abraham Painting & Drawing Elizabeth Meek She is President of the Royal Society of Miniature Painters Sculptors and Gravers 2005 - , Past president of the Society of Women Artists 2000-2005 and Elected Fellow of the Royal Society of Artists 2000 - . John Stilwagon Tony Picanco (for his Art Feast activity) Dave Asthouart Jonathan Hughes Chi-tan (of Umisen Yamasen) Inko (of Umisen Yamasen) Hepi-ichiko (of Umisen Yamasen) Yuki (of Umisen Yamasen) Ochi-bo (of Umisen Yamasen) Carona Clarke (for her Crystal Palace Life Drawing classes) London College of Fashion (for Life Drawing & Fashion Drawing courses)

I plan to place many of these pictures, together with images from my lectures in the UK and study tours to Japan, in the gallery (coming soon).

Affiliations :

• EQUITY (British Actors' Equity Association)†
• RAM (Register of Artists' Models)

†Includes Public Liability Insurance with membership

Akemi may be contacted via the following e-mail address: akemi@solloway.demon.co.uk

Copyright © Akemi Solloway 1996 - 2007. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Last updated - 28th November 2007