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Hayward Gallery's 'DRAG: Self-portraits and Body Politics' Explores Drag Culture from 1960s to Today

exhibition · 2026-05-04

The Hayward Gallery in London presents 'DRAG: Self-portraits and Body Politics', a group exhibition examining drag culture from the 1960s to the present. Curated by Senior Curator Vincent Honoré with Assistant Curator Katie Guggenheim, the show features 30 artists including Pierre Molinier, VALIE EXPORT, Robert Mapplethorpe, Ulay, Cindy Sherman, and emerging talents like Adam Christensen, Oreet Ashery, and Victoria Sin. The exhibition addresses feminism, gender identity, and AIDS through photography, with a performance by Adam Christensen and a wall painting by Paul Kindersley at the opening, which also involves prominent figures from London's drag scene. The show runs from October 14, 2018, at the Hayward Gallery, Southbank Centre.

Key facts

  • Exhibition titled 'DRAG: Self-portraits and Body Politics' at Hayward Gallery, London
  • Curated by Vincent Honoré and Katie Guggenheim
  • Features 30 artists from 1960s to present
  • Includes Pierre Molinier, VALIE EXPORT, Robert Mapplethorpe, Ulay, Cindy Sherman
  • Emerging artists: Adam Christensen, Oreet Ashery, Victoria Sin
  • Themes: feminism, gender identity, AIDS
  • Medium: photography, plus performance and wall painting at opening
  • Opening involves notable London drag scene figures

Entities

Artists

  • Andreas Gursky
  • Pierre Molinier
  • VALIE EXPORT
  • Robert Mapplethorpe
  • Ulay
  • Cindy Sherman
  • Adam Christensen
  • Oreet Ashery
  • Victoria Sin
  • Paul Kindersley

Institutions

  • Hayward Gallery
  • Southbank Centre

Locations

  • London
  • United Kingdom

Sources