Queer Modernism: 1900 to 1950

With Queer Modernism. 1900 to 1950, the Kunstsammlung Nordrhein-Westfalen presents the first comprehensive exhibition in Europe dedicated to the significant contributions of queer artists to modernism. Featuring more than 130 works by thirty-four international artists—including paintings, drawings, photographs, sculptures, films, publications, and archival materials—the exhibition project focuses on the first half of the twentieth century. It tells an alternative history of modernism, one in which queer artists placed themes such as desire, gender, sexuality, and the politics of self-representation at the center of their work. It also traces stories of queer life in times of war and resistance. Including artists such as Claude Cahun, Hannah Höch, Jean Cocteau, Romaine Brooks, Marlow Moss or Richmond Barthé.

Despite their close ties to the avant-garde, queer perspectives have often been marginalized in the art-historical canon. The frequent absence of documentation and accounts of sexual orientations and ways of life continue to hinder efforts to understand queer modernism, in a period also shaped by colonial power relations. The process of reconstructing this often-forgotten chapter of modernism is necessarily marked by fragmented access to knowledge and historical oblivion or erasure. These limitations must be critically and imaginatively incorporated into any perspective on queer modernism. LGBTQ+ communities from less privileged social classes or from the “Global South,” as well as those subjected to intersecting forms of discrimination such as racism, are particularly affected by this fragmentary source base. Furthermore, the term “queer” was only reappropriated as an emancipatory self-designation in the wake of gay and lesbian activism surrounding the 1969 Stonewall riots in New York. This gave the term a positive connotation and played a key role in increasing the visibility of queer lives.

Relevance today
On many levels, Queer Modernism. 1900 to 1950 demonstrates the ongoing social and political relevance of the themes explored in the works and lives of these artists—both in their own time and today. In light of growing discrimination against queer communities in many parts of the world, making the history of queer culture visible is more urgent than ever. The exhibition thus reflects the vision of K20K21 Kunstsammlung Nordrhein-Westfalen of being a multifaceted, global museum for all, and marks an important step toward telling the history of modernism in a more nuanced, inclusive, and diverse way.

Queer scholars, artists, and experts from a range of fields contributed their knowledge to the project. A queer advisory board offered critical input on the exhibition, developed formats for educational activities, and proposed ideas for the supporting program.

Idea and Concept: Anke Kempkes, art historian and author.
Curators: Isabelle Malz, curator at the Kunstsammlung Nordrhein-Westfalen, with Isabelle Tondre, research assistant at the Kunstsammlung Nordrhein-Westfalen, and Anke Kempkes, guest curator.

Publication
The exhibition is accompanied by a bilingual catalogue (German/English, 304 pages, approx. 200 illustrations) edited by Susanne Gaensheimer, Isabelle Malz, and Anke Kempkes, with essays by Jonathan D. Katz, Anke Kempkes, Tirza True Latimer, Isabelle Malz, Isabelle Tondre, and Diana Souhami. Hirmer Verlag, 39 EUR

Stay connected: Please check our website for regular updates on our program. For further information please contact presse@kunstsammlung.de.