Through the medium of film and photography, this major exhibition considers how masculinity has been coded, performed, and socially constructed from the 1960s to the present day.
Examining depictions of masculinity from behind the lens, the Barbican brings together the work of over 50 international artists, photographers and filmmakers including Laurie Anderson, Sunil Gupta, Rotimi Fani-Kayode, Isaac Julien and Catherine Opie.
In the wake of #MeToo the image of masculinity has come into sharper focus, with ideas of toxic and fragile masculinity permeating today’s society. This exhibition charts the often complex and sometimes contradictory representations of masculinities, and how they have developed and evolved over time. Touching on themes including power, patriarchy, queer identity, female perceptions of men, hypermasculine stereotypes, tenderness and the family, the exhibition shows how central photography and film have been to the way masculinities are imagined and understood in contemporary culture.
This exhibition contains some works of an adult nature. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.
Opening times
Sun-Wed 10am-6pm Thu-Sat 10am-9pm Good Friday 10am-9pm Easter Monday 10am-6pm VE Day (Fri 8 May) 10am-9pm
Location
Barbican Centre
Silk Street, London
EC2Y 8DS
Box Office: 020 7638 8891
The Barbican Centre is open:
Mon–Sat: 9am–11pm
Sun: 11am–11pm