Entry No. 36 — the Portland file — filed under: outdoor
Kvinneakt
This bronze abstract nude by Seattle sculptor Norman Taylor was picked from over 500 competition entries for the 1970s Transit Mall — then became infamous as the statue future mayor Bud Clark was photographed flashing for the 1978 'Expose Yourself to Art' poster that sold a quarter million copies. It's also survived a 1981 theft attempt, an April Fools' bra-dressing, and a 2007 vodka-ad airbrushing scandal.
The story
When Portland overhauled SW 6th Avenue into a transit mall in the late 1970s, city organizers opened a public art competition. Out of more than 500 entries, they chose Seattle sculptor Norman Taylor’s abstract bronze female nude, titled *Kvinneakt*—Norwegian for "female nude." Installed right on the sidewalk along the bus and light rail lines, the distorted, fluid statue was meant to bring high-minded modern art to everyday commuters. Then Bud Clark got involved.
In 1978, Clark—a local pub owner—popped the collar of his trench coat, struck a back-facing pose in front of the bronze figure, and had his picture taken. The resulting photograph became the iconic "Expose Yourself to Art" poster. It sold more than 250,000 copies, turned an abstract street sculpture into a national pop-culture footprint, and helped propel Clark all the way to the Portland mayor's office in 1984.
In the decades since, *Kvinneakt* has quietly weathered more drama than most museum pieces. Thieves attempted to heist the heavy bronze statue in 1981, pranksters dressed it in a massive custom bra for April Fools' Day, and in 2007, a vodka advertisement sparked local outrage when image editors airbrushed the beloved statue out of a street backdrop.
What it's like
You’ll find the statue standing out on the SW 6th Avenue sidewalk between Alder and Morrison, surrounded by light rail tracks and commuters scrolling on their phones. It’s entirely outdoors, free, and accessible 24/7, making it easy to miss if you aren't looking down at the sidewalk edge. Stand right up close to inspect Taylor’s distorted bronze line work—and if you want the full local ritual, open your coat and recreate the infamous Bud Clark pose while bus passengers watch.
The move: Find the statue on the transit mall, then track down a print of the original 'Expose Yourself to Art' poster at a downtown record or poster shop to see the exact pose recreated.
- 📍 Downtown Portland Transit Mall
- 💸 Free
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Outdoors
Where: SW 6th Ave between SW Alder St & SW Morrison St, Portland, OR 97204
Hours: Added 2026-07-20 — confirm current hours before you go.
Pair it with
- Mill Ends Park — Pair two micro-monuments of Portland street history by walking three blocks east to see the world's smallest official park.
- The Skeleton Key Odditorium — After admiring public bronze nudes on the transit mall, head two blocks over to explore unusual storefront oddities behind glass.
- Multnomah Whiskey Library — Follow up your street-side art scavenger hunt with a drink hidden behind an unmarked door on nearby SW Alder.
- Zoobomb Pyle — Continue your tour of Portland's street-level art quirks by walking a few blocks north to see a tower of junker kids' bikes chained to a rack.
Good to know
What does the name Kvinneakt actually mean?
It translates to "female nude" in Norwegian.
Where is the sculpture located?
It sits on the sidewalk along the Downtown Portland Transit Mall on SW 6th Avenue, between SW Alder Street and SW Morrison Street.
Who was the man who flashed the statue in the famous poster?
Bud Clark, a Portland tavern owner who later served two terms as the Mayor of Portland from 1985 to 1992.
How much does it cost to visit?
It's completely free. The sculpture is situated on a public city sidewalk open at all hours.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Wikipedia
last checked: 2026-07-20