Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
Arts & Entertainment
Photographer Brings 21st Century Nudity to the Met
By
Jen Carlson
Published Aug 27, 2009
Modified Aug 27, 2009
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Carlson
Published Aug 27, 2009
Modified Aug 27, 2009
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Not too long ago there was some pole dancing for arts sake on the L train. Well, yesterday photographer Zach Hyman (he's like the one-model-at-a-time version of Spencer Tunick) brought his nude subject to a museum. Surprisingly, it seems the MTA is cooler with the naked human form than the Met is!
The 26-year-old model, Kathleen Neill, was busted when she stripped down in the Arms and Armour exhibit. This was the first time one of his models was arrested for public lewdness, according to the NY Post; Hyman told the paper, "Everything was going perfect until the very end. Then it became a worst-case scenario." The session was quick, and allegedly many didn't even see what was happening. One Canadian tourist said, "I thought it was cool to juxtapose the nude woman with the art in the room. I was surprised by how many people didn't even notice her."
The museum hasn't made an official comment, but when the security guard nabbed Neill, the model asked her why it was wrong in a building full of nudity. The guard told her, "Those statues are 400 years old. You're from the 21st century." For those who want to see some more skin, here's some (blurred out) video, conveniently captured because it "was captured exclusively by a camera rolling for NBCNewYork."
View more news videos at: https://www.nbcnewyork.com/video.
More of Hyman's work can be seen on his website. We suggest he bring his next subject to strip down on the High Line, and give those exhibitionists at the Standard something to look at.
Tagged
met
Zach Hyman
naked
arrest
photography
metropolitan museum
nudity
art
Jen Carlson
Jen Carlson is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE arts-entertainment
The Knicks are NBA champions. Now they have to start dressing the part.
Before they attempt to fend off LeBron James and the 76ers on Tuesday, the Knicks will have a chance to show off their winning mentality through their tunnel fits.
By
Sonia Rao
Published Oct 19, 2026 at 12:43 p.m. ET
Will Barnes and Noble in the East Village spell doom for smaller shops? It's complicated.
Independent booksellers are grappling with whether the big-box chain is a threat or an ally in the fight against Amazon.
By
Sonia Rao
Arts & Entertainment
Will Barnes and Noble in the East Village spell doom for smaller shops? It's complicated.
Independent booksellers are grappling with whether the big-box chain is a threat or an ally in the fight against Amazon.
By
Sonia Rao
Can eligible NYC singles find love with 30 minutes and some really spicy food?
By
Elizabeth Shwe
and
James Ramsay
How the NYC Marathon has changed in the last 50 years
By
Hannah Frishberg
A visit to Art of Play, the Brooklyn store in an animatronic bird beef with Kelly Clarkson
By
Sonia Rao
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .