# The Resurgence of Eroticism in Contemporary Chicago Art Exhibitions A critical look at how recent gallery shows are reintroducing explicit themes of desire. - **Source:** [Hyperallergic](https://hyperallergic.com) - **Published:** 2026-11-09 - **Topic:** [culture](https://brifing.si/c/culture) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/3c50ed45-cdf9-42f3-b21c-abf04d5d1349 ## Emerging Erotic Trends Recent art exhibitions in Chicago have displayed a noticeable increase in erotic themes. While eros has historically been a component of artistic expression, the current frequency suggests a shift in curatorial focus. Observers note that these themes are appearing across various mediums, often remaining unaddressed in official exhibition didactics and catalogues. ## Midlife Perspectives on Desire The author notes that personal perceptions of eroticism in art may be influenced by midlife transitions. Drawing parallels to recent screen-based explorations of female libido, the text highlights the intensity of these experiences. This subjective lens provides a unique framework for interpreting how desire is currently being represented within contemporary gallery spaces. ## Subtle Narratives in Painting Alice Tippit’s exhibition at the DePaul Art Museum featured meticulous paintings that evoked complex psychological responses. These works prompted deeper reflection on human desire, despite the official exhibition catalogue failing to articulate these specific themes. The disconnect between the viewer's experience and the provided text highlights a gap in institutional interpretation. ## Interactive and Sensuous Installations The SHADOW project, curated by Shannon Stratton, introduced highly tactile and sensuous elements to the gallery environment. Holly Murkerson’s photographs of stone passageways were paired with leather-and-wood stools by David Sprecher and Neiva Mulhearn. These pieces required physical interaction, such as straddling, to fully engage with the artist's intended sensory experience. ## Critique of De Kooning The Art Institute of Chicago’s retrospective on Willem de Kooning presented a starkly different portrayal of the nude. While the exhibition received glowing reviews, the author found the depiction of naked women unsettling. By the time the viewer reached the giant rowboat charcoal drawings, the subjects appeared more like victims than muses. ## Institutional Silence on Nudity Museum texts often maintain a polite distance when describing provocative or erotic works. In the case of the de Kooning exhibition, the official descriptions failed to acknowledge the visceral nature of the drawings. This institutional silence creates a tension between the raw visual content on the walls and the sanitized written narrative. ## The Role of Photography Lee Miller’s photography, featured alongside other works at the Art Institute, offers a historical counterpoint to contemporary eroticism. Her images, such as the 1931 portrait of a woman with a hand on her head, provide a nuanced look at the human form. These photographs serve as a bridge between past and present artistic explorations. ## Future of Erotic Art The prevalence of erotic themes in recent shows indicates a potential shift in how galleries engage with human desire. Whether this trend reflects a broader cultural movement or merely a localized phenomenon in Chicago remains to be seen. Future exhibitions will likely continue to challenge the boundaries of how we view intimacy. ## Sources covering this story - https://hyperallergic.com/is-sexy-art-back-or-is-it-just-me/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._