Could there be a better time for an exhibition focused on Drag? In the age of the selfie and ongoing debates about gender identity, curators at the Hayward Gallery bring the centuries-old tradition into the 21st century with DRAG: Self-portraits and Body Politics (Heni Project Space; 22 August-14 October). The show will include artists who have used “drag as an artistic tool to explore or challenge preconceptions of identity, gender, class, politics and race”, a statement says. Self-portraits by Pierre Molinier show the late French artist wearing masks, corsets, stockings and high heels, providing a study in eroticism and androgyny. Other artists featured include Ulay, Ming Wong, Martha Wilson and VALIE EXPORT; the show will also include paintings by the UK performance artist David Hoyle. Adam Christensen (alter ego is Madam) will present a new performance on the launch night, and there will also be three exhibition tours led by key figures from London’s drag scene.
In the frameblog
Hayward Gallery’s drag race—new exhibition in London tackles gender identity
3 August 2018