Sarah Lucas's 'Happy Gas' Exhibition at Tate Britain Explores Bodily Taboos Through Sculpture
The exhibition 'Happy Gas' by Sarah Lucas is currently on display at Tate Britain in London until 14 January. This showcase features a curated selection of her works instead of a comprehensive retrospective. It begins with 'Wanker' (1999), a sculpture depicting a hand made of pumping resin, which illustrates her interest in the themes of corporeality. Since the late 1980s, Lucas has delved into topics surrounding bodily functions and mortality, often challenging societal taboos. Notably, works like 'Two Fried Eggs and a Kebab' (1992) and 'Au Naturel' (1994) are missing, suggesting a shift away from the Young British Artists movement. The exhibition also highlights lesser-known pieces such as 'Inferno' (2000) alongside more recent sculptures like 'Fat Doris' (2023) and 'Sex Bomb' (2022), showcasing her focus on bodily realism and humor.
Key facts
- Sarah Lucas's exhibition 'Happy Gas' is on view at Tate Britain in London through 14 January.
- The show opens with 'Wanker' (1999), a sculpture of a mechanically pumping resin hand.
- Notable absences include early iconic works 'Two Fried Eggs and a Kebab' (1992) and 'Au Naturel' (1994).
- Historical pieces featured include 'Inferno' (2000) and 'The Old Couple' (1992).
- Recent sculptures include 'Fat Doris' (2023) and 'Sex Bomb' (2022).
- Other works explore themes of mortality, such as 'Jesmonite Sandwich' (2004–20) and 'This Jaguar's Going to Heaven' (2018).
- Lucas has worked since the late 1980s, examining bodily functions and taboos with humor and pathos.
- The exhibition does not emphasize her association with the Young British Artists movement of the 1990s.
Entities
Artists
- Sarah Lucas
- Tracey Emin
- Damien Hirst
- Martin Kippenberger
- Andrea Dworkin
- William Hambling
Institutions
- Tate Britain
- ArtReview
Locations
- London
- United Kingdom
- Suffolk