I was born in the United Kingdom, but my mother is Irish, so we relocated to Ireland and settled in Mayo during my childhood. Upon turning 18, I ventured to Australia, only to return to pursue higher education in my home country. Approximately seven years ago, I relocated to Greystones due to pregnancy, and it has since become my current residence.
In the past, my endeavors included performances in cabaret, burlesque, and vintage 1950s style pin-up modeling. In early 2020, I came across a call-out from the Hugh Lane Gallery seeking life models for their drawing classes, which piqued my interest. Subsequently, amidst the pandemic, the Hugh Lane Gallery expressed their eagerness to welcome me back.
The classes offered vary in nature. Some are conducted outdoors during the summer, catering to children. During these sessions, I adorn colorful or unique costumes, standing amidst a group of children as they sketch. Similarly, the Sunday sketching sessions take place indoors at the sculpture gallery within the museum. Additionally, I participate in more formal art classes led by skilled artists, adapting to various poses as directed by the coordinator, ranging from dynamic and natural to unconventional stances.
The role entails maintaining poses for durations ranging from a minute to an hour, requiring utmost stillness akin to a meditative state. I learned the hard way about the importance of occasional movement to prevent fainting, having experienced such an episode due to prolonged, strenuous posing.
Ygraine Hackett-Cantabrana, reflecting on her experience, mentioned, “I’m a bit curvier, so it’s interesting for artists to be able to draw that kind of body.” She emphasized the value of showcasing diverse body types to artists and the respite from daily responsibilities that the modeling sessions provide.
Primarily engaged in clothed life modeling, Ygraine occasionally ventures into semi-nude modeling, although predominantly clothed for Hugh Lane. Despite occasional self-consciousness stemming from societal beauty standards, she finds solace in the meditative aspect of the practice, silencing self-critical thoughts to fulfill the purpose of aiding artists in depicting varied body forms.
The transformative impact of observing sketches, particularly from children and younger artists, leaves Ygraine in awe, fostering a sense of empowerment and appreciation for diverse interpretations of her physique. The experience of viewing oneself through others’ eyes offers a fresh perspective, highlighting unique features that may have gone unnoticed, ultimately instilling a sense of empowerment and self-acceptance.
Standing as a model amidst scrutinizing gazes and artistic interpretations serves as a reminder of personal resilience and the ability to confront fears, instilling a sense of confidence to tackle challenges head-on.
In conversation with Ellen O’Donoghue