In this episode of Naked Age, we explore the history of The Neo Naturists, a trio of British artists who used their bodies as living canvases to challenge societal norms around nudity, art, and identity. At the heart of this story is Wilma Johnson, who, alongside Jennifer and Christine Binnie, helped pioneer this bold form of performance art in the 1980s. We take a deep dive into their cultural influence, examining how their work intersected with feminist and art movements of the time and how, after four decades, they are finally receiving the recognition they deserve. Wilma reflects on her journey as an artist, her personal take on naturism, and her contributions to this groundbreaking collective.
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Links from this episode
The Neo Naturists
Wilma Johnson
Gallery
Show notes
Episode produced by Evan Nicks. Guest starring Wilma Johnson.
Music in this episode was sourced and licensed from Envato Elements or the Independent Music Licensing Collective (IMLC).
Listen to past episodes of Naked Age at www.nakedage.co.
Clips
'Women in Revolt': British feminist art from the 1970s and 1980s takes over Tate Britain - Euronews Culture
1970s King's Road London Punk Shops, Seditionaries - KinoLibrary
1978 London Punks, Rare Home Movie Footage - KinoLibrary
BBC The New Romantics - Uploaded by Steve_1401
Newsnight archives (1981) - Spandau Ballet - BBC Newsnight
Culture Club Do You Really Want to Hurt Me - 1982 Top of the Pops - Uploaded by Betaman31252
VISAGE - Fade To Grey [Rare Video 1981] HQ - Uploaded by DAS BUNKER
1986: LEIGH BOWERY's outrageous fashion | The Clothes Show | BBC - Uploaded by BBC Archive
JOHN GALLIANO Spring 1986 - Uploaded by Videofashion Library
Michael Clark Choreography - Uploaded by Snows Ov Gethen
What is Naked Age?
Naked Age is a quarterly history podcast profiling remarkable people who have gone to extraordinary lengths to live a nude life.
Naked Age is an interview series profiling activists, artists, individualists and misfits who have a singular point of view on the world.
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Wilma and The Neo Naturists