Shunga - Sex and pleasure in Japanese art exhibition (British Museum - London)

[Joe Stratford]

British Museum - Shunga

This looks interesting!

Produced from 1600 to 1900 and banned in Japan for much of the 20th century, these explicit and beautifully detailed erotic paintings, prints and books inspired Toulouse-Lautrec, Beardsley, Rodin and Picasso.

Mostly created by the artists of the ukiyo-e or ‘floating world’ school, these popular works were known as shunga, - literally ‘spring pictures’. They appealed to all classes in Japan for almost 300 years, and to men and women alike. Frequently tender and humorous, they celebrate sexual pleasure in all its forms in brilliantly coloured paintings and prints, culminating with beautiful and explicit works by iconic artists Utamaro, Hokusai and Kunisada.

Within Japan, shunga has continued to influence modern forms of art, including manga, anime and Japanese tattoo art. The exhibition sheds new light on this unique art form within Japanese social and cultural history.

I think I will head down on Saturday before my back consult with @stewartrobson !

[49531]

saw an article about this the other week, really need to go. saw a great exhibition of kitagawa utamaro's work whilst i was studying in birmingham a few years ago and it really influenced the work i've made from then on, would be great to see a large display of just shunga

[cltattooing]

Man, I really wish I could go to this. Western sexuality has been so perverted, it would be nice to see an exhibition that honors the freedom in human sexuality without shame.

[gougetheeyes]

That was one sexy promo.

[Diehardonvhs]

Looks great - thanks for the link, I hadnt heard about this!