Genesis P-Orridge's Mail Art Exhibition at Art Metropole Marks Throbbing Gristle's 50th Anniversary
An exhibition at Art Metropole in Toronto highlights Genesis Breyer P-Orridge's mail art from the National Gallery of Canada, running until May 31. This display includes letters, collages, and photographs sent to the artist collective General Idea through FILE Magazine from the early 1970s to the late 1980s. P-Orridge, originally named Neil Megson and born in 1950, adopted this alias in 1969. This event marks the first time these pieces have been shown since 1999 and celebrates the 50th anniversary of Throbbing Gristle's debut in 1976. Notable works include P-Orridge's postcard "cut-ups," which played a significant role in the Pandrogeny project, reflecting the mail art movement's accessibility for avant-garde artists.
Key facts
- Genesis P-Orridge's mail art exhibition runs through May 31 at Art Metropole in Toronto
- The show features works from the National Gallery of Canada's collection
- P-Orridge was born Neil Megson in Manchester in 1950
- The exhibition marks the 50th anniversary of Throbbing Gristle's 1976 premiere
- P-Orridge faced prosecution in 1975 for collages of Queen Elizabeth with porn elements
- COUM Transmissions was founded in 1969 with roots in Dadaism and surrealism
- Throbbing Gristle was formed in 1976 with Peter "Sleazy" Christopherson
- P-Orridge's "cut-ups" influenced the Pandrogeny gender expression project starting in 1993
Entities
Artists
- Genesis Breyer P-Orridge
- Neil Megson
- Cosey Fanni Tutti
- Spydeee Gasmantell
- John Shapeero
- Peter "Sleazy" Christopherson
- Lady Jaye
- William S. Burroughs
- Brion Gysin
Institutions
- Art Metropole
- National Gallery of Canada
- General Idea
- FILE Magazine
- COUM Transmissions
- Throbbing Gristle
- Them
Locations
- Toronto
- Canada
- Manchester
- United Kingdom