A Chinese man has made a career through nude modeling. Find out how he supports his family through this unorthodox career.
For 14 years a man from Shanxi, China with the surname Li has provided for his family through nude modeling. That’s right, in order to put food on the table Li has taken it all off in front of students at the Shanxi University of Fine Arts.
Li’s tale however is not of an exhibitionist satisfying a nudist desire. Instead Li began his career as a nude model out of necessity to provide for his family. Li was prematurely born and in order to safe his life doctors at the time diagnosed various medicines that unfortunately left him mentally impaired.
Li an avid art aficionado.
Due to his disabilities Li’s lot in life was rather limited. For most of his life Li worked at a factory until it was shut down back in 1997.
With few career options at his disposal due to his disability, Li began modeling for artists. At that time his modeling was still fully clothed, however when his father passed away and his mother diagnosed with breast cancer shortly after, Li was in dire straits and in need of a significant increase in wages.
Thus led Li to his new vocation at universities desperate for nude models. Although social norms are changing rapidly in China, there is still a fairly dominant conservative view throughout the nation that the arts are not immune to. Nude modeling is not exactly the most highly regarded profession in the Middle Kingdom, therefore there is a definite lack of supply for the demand. especially for art schools in desperate need of models for their classes.
One has to wonder how cold that room is.
The stigma that nude modeling brings is less of a concern for Li than providing for his family. Therefore Li began his career as a nude model, earning 40-50 RMB ($6-8) an hour.
For many this sum may not be enough to bare it all, but for Li and many of his contemporaries who are mainly middle aged, jobless, and poor, this income allows them to provide for their families and earn wages competitive to far more grueling and harsh jobs found in factories.
Yan Xin, a department head of the university believes that the work Li does is crucial for developing the arts at the university.
“Some people just don’t understand. Those who do understand will see that this is a dedication to the arts.”
As for Li, Yan was glowing about his dedication to his job and attitude toward the arts.
“Even though his body isn’t perfect, he’s incredibly honest, hardworking and appreciative of the arts.”
Some of the work crafted after Li’s likeness.
Along with his nude modeling work, Li is also a classroom administrator at the university earning an additional 500 RMB ($80) a month alongside his modeling income. This income allows him to support his daughter who is currently in elementary school and avid art lover.
To Li this 14 year career has been worth it and he continues to bare it all to bring in the bucks.
Written by Editorial Staff