Avante Garden | Erotic Life Drawing

Complete beginners are welcome - you need not have ANY experience in art! This is a judgment-free, chill space to create.

Traditionally, life drawing is a form of visual art where artists depict the human figure in various poses, typically in a studio setting. The primary focus of life drawing is to observe and capture the anatomical details, proportions, and expressions of the human body. Artists often work from a live model, drawing or painting the figure as it is observed in real-time. We will echo some of these principles and sentiments but in an inclusive, more relaxed environment.

This will be a guided space for you to explore your own creativity and to be led in a calm and gentle space to express yourself via your chosen medium. We will have our model/s present and will kick the event off with some quickfire sketches just to get everyone in the headspace to create. Remember to respect the models. Any creepiness will not be tolerated. No photography. If you want to explore the evening with alternative mediums, such as sculpture or music, please get in touch with our team so we can arrange to accommodate you at [email protected].

The rest of the evening will be split into some ice-breakers, diving a bit deeper into your chosen medium and exploring creating works from different poses. A strategic break will also be included so you can rest your limbs and so our model/s can recoup a bit.

We encourage you to bring along your art-making materials (and potentially snacks if you need any) but we will also have some basic supplies available for use. Note this is not a full-all-inclusive material supplied zone! So be sure to stock up on your favourite mediums and items ahead of time to bring with you.
 

The space will be held by two or more of the following lovely humans: 

Kye - @_bykye - (she/they) has been an active, private switch in the community for 15 years with a focus on submission and bottoming. She is a qualified educator in the visual and musical arts as well as teaching itself, holding a degree from both a South African and a mainland Chinese tertiary education institution. Multifaceted sensory experiences are their forte. 

Bug - @bugartstuff - (they/them) is a cathartic self-tyer. They embrace asymmetrical and messy rope. Rope has been a vital element of self-connection and creative inspiration. Shibari and bodies being a main theme in their art. 

York - @newyork.creations - (they/them) is a practicing queer artist and rope rigging enthusiast with a particular interest in body handling through rope. 

Embodiment Rope Space is a welcoming and safe(r) space for members of the LGBTQIA+ community and allies, situated in Cape Town, South Africa. We practice shibari/rope communally and host occasional workshops for upskilling the community. Shibari and Rope is never safe, there are only ways to do it more safely. Even though this event will not strictly be rope or shibari-centric, we still ask you to respect our rules and ethos as a space.

Events start promptly at 19:00. Please DM us via Instagram if you are running late. Doors open at 18:40 and are closed at 19:10. We will be strict about this because late-coming can be very disruptive to those in the space. Pre-booking is essential (cash on the night is available by arrangement via Instagram DM). Please have your tickets ready to be scanned on arrival. 

We have limited treated rope from Sudo Jute for sale and safety shears. Non-alcoholic drinks (Coke, water, tea, coffee) will also be for sale. 

Come dressed comfy and ready to create!

Embodiment Rope Space is the love child of a group of volunteers from different walks of life coming together to actualize something we think the world needs: a queer safe(r) space for exploring kink as a healing, connective force. 

You can follow us on Instagram here: 
@embodiment_ct 
@desirelinesbondage (she/they)
@faeriebunnyrope (she/her)
@rope.fu (he/him)
@wavybeanbaby (she/her)
@gr_en.trapa (they/them)
@charliefrench_za (she/her)
@creaturale (they/them)
@_bykye (she/they) 
@sudo_kinbaku_ / @sudojute (he/they) 
@fire_lily_kinbaku (she/her)
@bugartstuff (they/them)
@newyork.creations (they/them) 

What is Shibari/Kinbaku/Bondage? 

The art of binding the body of a consenting adult. 

Is rope always sexual?

Rope has many benefits and practitioners outside of the sexual paradigm. For some, it is about pushing their bodies not unlike engaging in strenuous exercise or extreme sports. For some, it is a way to reclaim their agency after trauma. For some, it is a way to experience a connection with others without the scripts and expectations associated with genital contact. As long as what you are doing is consensual and intentional, we consider it healthy and valid.

What should I wear?

Come dressed comfortably and ready to create! Depending on your materials, we encourage you to wear clothes that you feel comfortable wearing in an environment where they could get dirty/paint/other materials on it. We do have heating in the space for colder months but we do recommend packing in a jacket or a coat as Cape Town has unpredictable weather.

What is Avante Garden? 

This is a space where we hope that art and expression in eroticism can be explored beyond just the craft of tying/being tied. Think of it as an art jam, a space to draw or sculpt. This is a fairly new space that we will be holding and we are looking to continuously improve on it. Feel free to give us candid feedback on your experience!

Note on accessibility:
We believe rope is for every body. At the same time the building we are currently occupying does not allow for wheelchair access or has accessibility to ground floor ablution facilities. This is an ongoing negotiation with the current landlords.