Understanding the Challenges Faced by Art Models
**Art Models Struggle for a Living Wage and Recognition**
Art models, often the unsung heroes of figure drawing classes, play a crucial role in honing artists’ skills. However, despite their importance, many art models face significant challenges in earning a living wage and gaining recognition for their work. In an in-depth feature, Hyperallergic’s Isa Farfan sheds light on the struggles of art models who endure long hours of holding difficult poses, a task that demands both physical endurance and mental strength. The article explores the efforts of art models, many of whom are artists themselves, to advocate for better pay and working conditions through organizations like the Art Students League of New York.
**Concern Over “Crusadercore”**
Another significant topic addressed is the troubling rise of “Crusadercore,” a visual trend gaining traction in far-right online communities. Described by Emma Cieslik, this obsession with Crusader iconography is not entirely new but has now taken on more dangerous connotations. The imagery serves as a rallying point for modern Christian nationalist violence and is associated with events like the January 6 insurrection.
**Vanity Fair Photos of Trump Advisors**
In the opinion section, Lisa Yin Zhang offers a take on the Vanity Fair portraits of Trump’s inner circle. Whereas some viral interpretations cast the photos in a monstrous light, Zhang sees them as capturing anxious, inept individuals ill-suited for their roles, highlighting the damaging agenda they propagate.
**News and Discoveries**
Recent archaeological findings have revealed the burial of pet monkeys at the ancient Roman port of Berenike, providing insights into historical trade networks between Rome and India. Additionally, Hyperallergic’s reporting on President Trump’s 2025 cultural policy outlines the impact of funding cuts and threats to artistic freedom in the United States.
**In Memoriam**
This week, we pay tribute to the lives of conceptual artist Ceal Floyer, photographer Michele Singer Reiner, and filmmaker Christine Choy, each of whom made significant contributions to their respective fields.
**From the Archive**
Reflecting on the past, the article revisits the “From Gaza to the World” exhibition at Recess in Brooklyn, showcasing the works of 25 Palestinian artists. This exhibit underlines the resilience and creativity stemming from the Gaza region and its international impact.
For those interested in further engagements with the art world, check out the Nevada Museum of Art’s upcoming Art + Environment Summit, and explore creative opportunities with the SVA Continuing Education and TCU School of Art’s funded graduate programs.