Sex Parts 174

As part of the Sex Parts portfolio, this work exemplifies Andy Warhol‘s pioneering exploration into the realms of art, sexuality, and identity. Created in 1978, the portfolio was born out of Warhol’s intimate photo sessions with models he met through New York’s gay bathhouses and clubs, a project facilitated by his assistant, Victor Hugo. Warhol meticulously segregated these photographs into two collections: “Torsos” and “Sex Parts,” with the latter delving into overtly sexual acts, thus challenging the conventional boundaries between art and obscenity.

This work presents a candid side view of male genitalia at the cusp of sexual union, capturing a moment frozen in time. The composition’s tight crop on the body parts engaged in the act, devoid of facial expressions or identities, speaks to the universality of desire and the act of giving oneself to another, highlighting the theme of intimacy in its most vulnerable form.

Like the other five prints in this portfolio Sex Parts 174 reflects Warhol’s audacious approach to depicting explicit scenes, pushing the viewer to reconsider preconceived notions of public art. Warhol’s choice to isolate and highlight specific moments of physical connection challenges conventional perceptions of erotic art, pushing the boundaries between the private act and public display. 

Despite facing resistance from galleries and dealers, Warhol’s commitment to exploring themes of desire and identity—particularly his own as a gay man—remained unwavering. This series not only marked a significant phase in Warhol’s career but also captured a transformative moment in societal attitudes towards sexuality, underscored by the burgeoning LGBTQ+ movement.

Sex Parts 174 stands as a candid expression of male sexuality, rendered with a sketch-like immediacy and presented in stark black and white, reminiscent of Warhol’s experimental films. Through these intimate depictions, Warhol invites viewers to reflect on the universal experiences of vulnerability, trust, and the inherent desire for connection that define the human condition.