Cherry* walks on stage at a small bar in Kings Cross. She's about to pose nude for her fellow art students. 

Just hours earlier, she was in a courtroom to watch ex-partner be convicted of image-based sexual abuse after he shared intimate images of her online without consent.

"I haven't been able to be naked in front of anyone since then. This is a reclamation of my body," she says.

Choking back tears, Cherry drops the robe, turns around so her bare back faces the class and raises both middle fingers to the air.

This is Magnolia's Art Class, a live nude drawing class with a difference: it's not just the model who is nude. 

Created by burlesque artist and nude art model Rosie Cremer and artist mentor Kate Hart, the class is held monthly on Wednesdays in a dimly lit part of Dulcie's, a former strip club-turned boutique bar.

The class starts with an affirmation, "I allow myself to accept love and love myself".

The 30 students are then invited to remove their clothing and pull out their sketch pads.

"I can't believe people trust me enough to do this because it's f***ing terrifying," Ms Cremer says.

Non-judgmental artist's gaze:

Ms Cremer had always been curious about the feminine body after she saw her short, curvaceous mother rebel against the prevailing heroin chic trend of emaciated women in the 90s.

"I was always witnessing this idea that there is a different body type out there, and [I thought] there must be others," she said.

Teaming up with her colleague, Kate Hart, Ms Cremer set out to create a space for women, and those who identify with the feminine experience, to be exposed to various bodies in a safe and platonic environment.

She says the focus is on "body neutrality".

"I kind of wanted to step away from this whole 'Body positivity. You must love your body,'" she said.

"Let's just neutralise it and mix it up. Sometimes we love it. Sometimes we don't."

During the second half of the class, Ms Cremer includes a modelling exercise where participants have the option to pose for the class.

"The artist's gaze is quite different," she says.

"You're looking at someone structurally and not in a judgemental manner."

Reclaiming naked body:

When Cherry entered Magnolia's, she thought there was no way she would be modelling.

After discovering an ex-partner had shared explicit photos of her without her consent, Cherry was terrified to be photographed and suffered from body dysmorphia.

She came to Magnolia's, which emphasises consent at every step, to regain some of the control and confidence she had lost.

"I can reclaim my naked body because it's mine," she says.

"It's my choice who I choose to show it to and share it with."

As the class sketches Cherry's defiant pose, Ms Cremer asks if she would like a photo as a reminder of this moment.

She shouts back, "I consent".

'Hello to my new body'

Another participant, Malaika Mfalme also took to the stage.

They said that from a young age, they felt a disconnect from their body.

Growing up with a twin sister, their mother would often buy them dresses, but by age eight, they knew that wasn't for them.

Gender identity was new territory for their family, but after the death of a partner Mx Mfalme finally came out as non-binary.

"Around the gender stuff, my mum was totally freaked out," they said.

"I only wanted to tell her because I didn't want to hide anymore."

After years of suffering from body dysmorphia, Mx Mfalme didn't believe people could love their bodies.

"I'd been thinking that people were just faking it," they said.

But after undergoing top surgery, they discovered a new appreciation for their body.

At Magnolia's, Mx Mfalme shared their new chest proudly in the spotlight.

Initially, they had planned to attend the class last year as a farewell to their breasts.

"I kind of never got around to it. I got really busy," they said.

"But now I get to say hello to my new body, as opposed to saying goodbye to my old body."

During the class, a handful of people take to the stage, with some who were initially hesitant, now removing blouses and pants.

One participant attended the class to celebrate her birthday, posing back to back with her best friend on stage. Another person was celebrating their graduation.

Nudity freeing for artists:

The class has a relaxed vibe, with both beginners and accomplished artists welcomed. There has even been an Archibald Prize winner — Australia's most prestigious portrait prize — sighted among the participants. 

The nudity facilitates a sense of camaraderie among the participants, says art teacher Kate Hart.

Ms Hart believes nudity allows participants to be more creative, improving the quality of art created.

"By having no armour on, no clothes on, you're naturally stripped to that level," she says.

"So they'll be more likely to produce artwork that is more real".

Mx Mfalme believes without the immersive nature of the class, they would be more anxious about their artwork.

"But it's more about the experience of being around liberated people," they said.

"I think we would be a lot more sensitive as a society if we would allow more vulnerability like this."

*Cherry's name has been changed to protect her identity.

Above | Left: Kate Hart, Right: Rosie Cremer

Original Story By | Isabella Michie