From May 25th to August 5th, 2023, Sadie Coles HQ in London will host the highly anticipated group exhibition “Hardcore.” Curated by Sadie Coles and John O’Doherty, this show brings together 18 renowned artists who fearlessly delve into the complex realms of human sexuality, power dynamics, and intimate experiences. In a time when conversations around sexuality often face censorship or oversimplification, “Hardcore” invites viewers to challenge social conventions and engage in nuanced discussions, creating a space for psychological exploration and thought-provoking encounters with the artworks.
Carolee Schneemann Vulva Morphia, 1995 mounted 36 panel photo grid with hand painting, text inserts on wood, and fans.
Reba Maybury’s essay, “Hardcore,” serves as a fitting prelude to the exhibition, emphasizing the intertwined nature of discomfort and curiosity, pleasure and disgust. The artists featured in “Hardcore” explore these paradoxes, unveiling unnamed urgencies that emerge from within us, defying easy categorization. By immersing viewers in waves of lucid conflict, the exhibition prompts a deep engagement with our own desires and responses.
Tayeba Begum Lipi Comfy Bikinis, 2013, 86 x 208 x 39 cm
Maybury’s words also highlight the importance of embracing a subjective sexuality that rejects conventional notions of right and wrong. Society often belittles those who explore desire and pleasure outside of mainstream norms, labeling them as vain, decadent, or perverse. “Hardcore” challenges this judgment, asserting that the power of sexuality exists within everyone, regardless of societal expectations. Vulnerability becomes a source of strength, as the exhibition celebrates the diversity of sexual experiences and rejects the limitations imposed by a singular sexual morality.
Elaine Cameron, Weir hairshirt with lucky cilice SS 23 cartoon violence collection, 2023
“Hardcore” does not shy away from examining the urgency of sex and its coexistence with violence. The exhibition occupies the infinite contradictions inherent in sexual experiences, challenging the viewer to confront their own preconceived notions. By reclaiming conventions of passivity and rejecting sentimental and conformist gratifications, the artists evoke a sense of revolt. They stand openly against revulsion, creating a space where pleasure is taken seriously and explored in all its complexity.
King Cobra, Doreen Lynette Garner White Bread, 2021
The exhibition features a diverse range of works that resist categorization. While not all the pieces may be explicitly pornographic, they traverse a fine line, seeking to encapsulate the urgent and multifaceted nature of sex. Sexuality exhilarates us, and the exhibition reminds us that the policing of who can possess and express sex is endless—a power play in which one seeks to feel the most alive. It acknowledges the experiences of socially non-dominant perspectives, recognizing that degradation is abstract and that there is no one singular sexual morality.
Hardcore, Exhibition view, Sadie Coles HQ, London 2023
“Hardcore” deliberately avoids straight lines and predetermined narratives, inviting viewers to reject the banality of sophistication and instead embrace the unpredictability of viscerality. The works in the exhibition do not aim to seduce the viewer; they exist for their own sake, challenging notions of what is upsetting, alluring, grotesque, or fantastic. Sensationalism is acknowledged as a subjective experience—one that should be protected and respected.
The exhibition boldly advocates for a shift from a mind-centered perspective to an embodied one, encouraging viewers to engage with the artworks on a bodily level. By refusing to conform to societal expectations and inviting viewers to decide for themselves what is meaningful and significant, “Hardcore” confronts the limitations of a singular perspective on sexuality and power dynamics.
“Hardcore” at Sadie Coles HQ is a remarkable exhibition that unapologetically explores the complexities of human sexuality and power dynamics. By defying conventional narratives and celebrating vulnerability, the show challenges viewers to question their own assumptions and engage in critical dialogue. Through the diverse perspectives of the participating artists, “Hardcore” creates a space for intense discussions, psychological exploration, and a deeper understanding of the multifaceted nature of sexual experiences. In an era marked by cautious conversations, this exhibition fearlessly pushes boundaries, inviting viewers to embrace discomfort, pleasure, and the transformative power of art.
