Hayward Gallery

DRAG

Self-portraits and Body Politics

22 Aug - 14 Oct 2018

Installation view of “DRAG: Self-portraits and Body Politics,” 2018 at Hayward Gallery’s HENI Project Space, London.
TIM BOWDITCH
DRAG
Self-portraits and Body Politics
22 August – 14 October 2018

This exhibition featured the work of more than 30 artists who have used drag to explore or question identity, gender, class and politics, from the 1960s to the present day.

Alongside key figures such as Pierre Molinier, VALIE EXPORT, Robert Mapplethorpe and Cindy Sherman, the exhibition also included self-portraits by a younger generation of contemporary artists who have recently embraced drag as an art form, including Adam Christensen and Victoria Sin.

Rather than offering a linear or chronological narrative, this exhibition aimed to present a multitude of voices that explore cultural shifts of the past 50 years and touch on topics that include the 1980s AIDS crisis and post-colonial theory.

Focused on photography but spanning a variety of other media, DRAG was accompanied by a programme of tours led by drag performers.

Featured Artists
Eleanor Antin, Oreet Ashery, Renate Bertlmann, Leigh Bowery, Genesis Breyer P-Orridge, Luciano Castelli, Adam Christensen, Francesco Copello, Jimmy DeSana, Rose English, VALIE EXPORT, Samuel Fosso, Lynn Hershman Leeson, Ann Hirsch, David Hoyle, Michel Journiac, Birgit Jürgenssen, Paul Kindersley, Suzy Lake, Robert Mapplethorpe, Ana Mendieta, Pierre Molinier, Tony Morgan, Hunter Reynolds, Cindy Sherman, Victoria Sin, Jo Spence, Sturtevant, Ulay, Martha Wilson, David Wojnarowicz & Jesse Hultberg, Ming Wong and Cerith Wyn Evans.
 

Tags: Valie Export