Emily English Medley, a Texas resident and family nurse practitioner, has filed a lawsuit against a local art institution and its instructor, accusing them of sexual harassment and discrimination. The complaint was lodged in the District Court of Harris County, Texas on November 7, 2025. Medley is taking legal action against The Art League of Houston and Polly Jin-Ping Liu for their alleged misconduct during her tenure as a nude model for the organization.
According to the petition, Medley sought to reclaim her body image by modeling for classical drawing classes at The Art League of Houston (ALH). She alleges that Polly Jin-Ping Liu, an instructor with ALH for over 26 years, engaged in inappropriate conduct during these sessions. Medley claims that Liu made derogatory comments about her body, specifically targeting the physical evidence of her motherhood such as stretch marks and scars from childbirth. During one class session on October 20, 2025, Liu allegedly coerced Medley into disrobing under duress to inspect her naked body publicly, which Medley asserts was outside the scope of professional conduct she had consented to.
Medley’s lawsuit details several accusations against both defendants. She accuses Liu of intentional infliction of emotional distress by mocking her appearance and creating a hostile work environment. Furthermore, she alleges sexual assault/battery due to the forced exposure incident. Additionally, Medley charges both defendants with sex-based harassment and age discrimination, arguing that Liu’s comments about her body were discriminatory based on gender and age.
The plaintiff seeks various forms of relief from the court. She requests compensatory damages for emotional distress and loss of income due to her inability to continue working as a nude model. Medley also demands punitive damages for what she describes as malicious conduct by the defendants. Moreover, she seeks policy changes within ALH to prevent future incidents like hers from occurring.
The case highlights broader issues within organizational oversight and accountability. Medley’s petition claims that ALH was aware or should have been aware of Liu’s abusive behavior yet failed to take appropriate action until after this incident was reported. Following the complaint by Medley and her spouse, ALH terminated Liu’s contract immediately—a move indicating acknowledgment of serious misconduct.
Representing herself pro se in this legal battle is Emily English Medley herself while Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP represents The Art League of Houston. As this case unfolds in front of Judge Bremer Mane at Harris County’s 215th Judicial District Court under Case ID 2025-85139; it will test how institutions handle allegations involving power dynamics between instructors and models within artistic communities.
Source: 202585139_Emily_English_v_The_Art_League_Original_Petition_Harris_County_Texas.pdf.pdf
