ICA's Decriminalised Futures exhibition centers sex worker experiences and activism
On display until 22 May 2022 at the Institute of Contemporary Arts in London is Decriminalised Futures, an exhibition promoting the rights of sex workers and their decriminalization. Co-curated by Elio Sea and Yves Sanglante, this show showcases artistic interpretations of global sex worker experiences, in collaboration with SWARM and Arika. Featured artists include Aisha Mirza, Cory Cocktail, Tobi Adebajo, Yarli Allison, Letizia Miro, Danica Uskert, Annie Mok, Chi Chi, and May May. The exhibition highlights themes of care, justice, and solidarity, standing in contrast to the ICA's 1976 Prostitution exhibit by COUM Transmissions. Conservative criticism has resurfaced, reminiscent of past objections from Tory MP Nicholas Fairbairn and recent articles in The Telegraph and Daily Mail.
Key facts
- Decriminalised Futures runs at the ICA, London until 22 May 2022
- The exhibition is co-curated by Yves Sanglante and Elio Sea
- It features works by artists including Aisha Mirza, Cory Cocktail, and Tobi Adebajo
- Organizations involved are SWARM and Arika
- The show responds to the ICA's 1976 Prostitution exhibition by COUM Transmissions
- Conservative criticism has come from figures like MP Nicholas Fairbairn and publications like The Telegraph
- Artworks address themes of labor, intimacy, and decriminalization
- The exhibition uses an open call format for global sex worker experiences
Entities
Artists
- Aisha Mirza
- Cory Cocktail
- Tobi Adebajo
- Yarli Allison
- Letizia Miro
- Danica Uskert
- Annie Mok
- Chi Chi
- May May
- Genesis P-Orridge
- Cosey Fanni Tutti
- Yves Sanglante
- Elio Sea
- Nicholas Fairbairn
- Nina Power
Institutions
- Institute of Contemporary Arts
- Sex Worker Advocacy and Resistance Movement
- Arika
- COUM Transmissions
- The Telegraph
- Daily Mail
- Daily Express
Locations
- London
- United Kingdom