“Breasts” Exhibition Explores Historical and Contemporary Perspectives on Symbolism, Identity, and Health Awareness

One of the oldest and enduring subjects in art and media that has also been heavily censored is breasts. These body parts were first carved into small figurines around 25,000 years ago as symbols of fertility. Today they represent various ideas depending on their context, including desire, motherhood, feminism, sexism, beauty ideals, defiance, controversy or illness. The exhibition “Breasts” at the Venice Biennale explores these themes through works by famous artists like Cindy Sherman and Salvador Dalí as well as emerging talents such as Anna Weyant, Chloe Wise, and Lakin Ogunbanwo. Curated by Carolina Pasti, this exhibit comprises of art pieces that date back to the Renaissance period featuring exaggerated breast anatomy in both paintings and sculptures. The show also includes photography, commercial advertising, video installations highlighting representations made from both a female’s as well male perspectives point of view. “Breasts” aims at promoting awareness about breast cancer through its partnership with the medical research non-profit Fondazione IEO-MONZINO who will receive part of the proceeds from catalog sales, which is evident in the exhibition’s pink theme throughout, including a light display featuring 35 anatomical lights above. The show runs until November 24th at Palazzo Franchetti with sculpture maker Teniqua Crawford also showing her delicate rendering of breasts as landscapes.