Art Review//Erotic Art Exhibition 2012 at The Gallery Liverpool

Art has always been subjective and this is especially the case for that notoriously borderline tendency prone genre that is erotic art. Having been to last years show and enjoying it I had high hopes for this years show but were they dashed like words into the wind or proven undeniably? It's time to find out.


Art Review// Erotic Art Exhibition 2012.

In title this is an 'erotic' art exhibition but just how erotic it actually is depends on your definition of the word.


Yes, it's the second erotic art exhibition at excellent venue The Gallery and after the success of last years show high expectations were had. Unfortunately - despite the presence of some excellent work - the entertainment for the evening verged on the side of the circus attraction rather than a comment on how affecting and inspiring the human body can be in art. 


Only the transgender dancer's shibari performance shone in it's own right, with some genuinely graceful moments of physicality during the routine. And from an artistic point of view the live body casting was an interesting look at the process of creation but somehow the way it was presented made it a voyeuristic event rather than a true demonstration of talent.


Where the previous show was an imperfect mix of the genuinely beautiful, the sensual and the borderline this show all too often tipped it's hat towards the seedy and - although many people present were open minded- sometimes downright indecent. Of course, as I said previously this in no way denigrates the artists work but as my companion and I progressed around the gallery, past myriad body casting from Len Gifford, ornamental works gracing the ceiling and much more besides we commented how our interpretation of erotic was mostly at odds with the work on display.


There was a notable abundance of photographic work, much of it playing with the idea of erotic over many variations until shock value seemed to take over. Highlights included Gregory Brown's 'Entwined' an elegantly shot image of a man and woman entwined together. The black and white setting added a touch of elegance that would be absent were the image shot in colour. 


Another highlight from the same artist includes the refreshing 'Oops Upside' in which a nude poses in a handstand on a curved chaise langue. The fact that the models skin tone is almost deathly pale adds a natural feel to the image, in stark contrast to the often tanned bodies that fill images like this. 


A refreshing start then but some other pieces in the gallery leave you cold in their emotionless style that you would expect to be a lot more warmer in the erotic sense. That said though, there is more goodness in the form of Len Gifford's ever adventurous metal sculptures that despite the potential for them to go over the theoretical top are entertaining in themselves. 


Also, Robert Babylon's work impresses, especially 'UV Spider Legs'. Another photographer whose work impresses sporadically is Roderick McDonald whose monochrome pieces are impressive, especially the subtle 'Ariadne' although the image 'Safe' of a pregnant woman's stomach bound in rope is perhaps crossing many peoples ideas of taste despite the context it's presented in. 


There are many more pieces on show of course but I shall leave it for the viewer to judge whether the line has been crossed or merely chalked a little bit further forward. 


Review by Seba. 


See also: Erotic Art Exhibition 2011