Express yourself! Artists win legal battle to paint the bodies of 40 models on the streets of New York

New York really is 'the naked city'.

Artists in Manhattan painted the bodies of 40 nude models on Saturday, turning the Columbus Circle entrance to Central Park into an outdoor celebration of the human form.

Artist Andy Golub says New York was the only city in the country that would allow his inaugural Bodypainting Day.



And he says that only happened after a legal battle.

Performance art: Artist Michelle Heffner, left, paints a model at Columbus Circle as body-painting artists gathered to decorate nude models as part of an event featuring artist Andy Golub, Saturday, July 26

Public art show: More than 25 body-painting artists from across the U.S. attempt to paint about 30 naked models during an event at Columbus Circle July 26, 2014

Only in NYC: After a legal battel with New York City, the event took place in the only city in the country that allows it

Getting to work: More than 25 body-painting artists from across the U.S. attempt to paint about 30 naked models during an event at Columbus Circle July 26, 2014 Art capital: The City Parks Department gave him a permit and the NYPD seemed fine with the idea On display: More than 50 nudist models getting painted by 40 body painting artists in the first ever New York City body painting day Brave: More than 25 body-painting artists from across the U.S. attempt to paint about 30 naked models Crowd pleaser: Many stopped to look and take photos at the Colombus Circle art show on Saturday After a legal battle with New York City, the event took place in the only city in the country that allows it

Marion La Coguic, of Portland, Ore., is painted at Columbus Circle as body-painting artists gathered to decorate nude models as part of an event featuring artist Andy Golub

Golub and a model were arrested in 2011 during a body-painting project in Times Square.

The city paid model Zoe West a $15,000 settlement after she sued over the arrest.



Public nudity is legal in the city if it's part of a performance, exhibition or show.

Golub's event Saturday included a post-painting march down Broadway and a return to Times Square for a photo shoot.

Video Source YouTube

A moth lands on a model as she is painted at Columbus Circle as part of an event featuring artist Andy Golub, Saturday, July 26, 2014, in New York Canvas: The theme of the display centered around body acceptance

Crist Crow is painted at Columbus Circle as body-painting artists gathered to decorate nude models

Cully Firmin, of Lafayette, La., is painted at Columbus Circle as body-painting artists gathered to decorate nude models as part of an event featuring artist Andy Golub on Saturday More than 50 nudist models getting painted by 40 body painting artists in the first ever New York City body painting day

Pedestrians watch as nude models get decorated by body-painting artists as part of an event featuring artist Andy Golub, Saturday, July 26, 2014