Art gallery is 'game on' for corset pictures
August 23, 2007 
An antique dealer in St Petersburg has turned part of his shop into an erotic art gallery, featuring paintings depicting men in corsets and some burlesque inspired art.
According to the St Petersburg Times, William Schramm, owner of Antiques 2061, was worried that his display of men in corsets and other erotic depictions of the human form might scare punters off, yet he has experienced no downturn in trade since the installation.
Instead, Mr Schramm has been surprised to see the first annual Erotic Art Show of St Petersburg opening shortly.
The 46-year-old told the newspaper that he has not received any criticism since the show was advertised.
Mr Schramm said he was inspired to showcase erotic art as a response to a lack of willing outlets for such kinds of artwork in St Petersburg, which meant that local artists were being driven away.
"I kept hearing, 'Oh we can't show at that gallery because they are too conservative.' And I was like, 'game on,'" he said. "There is no reason why there shouldn't be an annual erotic art show in St Petersburg."
Like all good burlesque inspired art, Mr Schramm explained that the paintings and sculptures are not pornography or simple 'nude' paintings.
"It is not just the beauty of the body but the suggestive posing," he said. Now St Petersburg's exhibition will feature works depicting male and female genitalia, topless women wearing men's underwear and a man wearing only a black corset.
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