Christine Binnie photographed by Wilma Johnson at the British Museum 1982
The Neo Naturists 1980-2016
The Neo Naturists is a performance art group founded by Christine and Jennifer Binnie and Wilma Johnson in 1980, they perform usually in only bodypaint and accessories, and over the years have appeared in venues as diverse as the Spanish Anarchist Centre and the Royal Opera House, where their appearance as naked cheerleaders with Michael Clark dance company caused a scandal.
In the 1980s they collaborated with a lot of other artists including Grayson Perry, who formed part of the group for a while, Derek Jarman, John Maybury, Leigh Bowery and Trojan, Andrew Logan and Bruce Lacey.
Wilma Johnson temporarily stopped performing with the group in 1987 when she went to Mexico, but has rejoined the group for recent shows and events.
There has been a huge renewal of interest in their work 2006 when their archives were featured in ‘ The Secret Public : The Last Days of the British Underground 1978-1988' at Kunstverein Munich and ICA in London.
Since then they have reunited for various shows including The Neo Naturists at England & Co. in 2007.
The three original members did their first performance together for 25 years at The Hayward Gallery in June 2012.
A selection of their films was taken into the BFI collection and The Private View was shown at the National Film Theatre ( Q & A Christine Binnie and Wilma Johnson) and is currently in This is Now film tour.
A retrospective of their work and archives opens at Studio Voltaire in July 2016.