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Sarah Lucas ('Human Toilet II')

6 of 12 portraits matching these criteria:

- set matching 'Self-Portraits: Iris prints by Sarah Lucas'
- 'Image on website'

© Sarah Lucas

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Sarah Lucas ('Human Toilet II')

by Sarah Lucas
Iris print, 1996
29 in. x 19 1/4 in. (738 mm x 490 mm) overall
Given by Sadie Coles HQ, 2001
Primary Collection
NPG P884(6)

Sitterback to top

  • Sarah Lucas (1962-), Artist. Sitter in 15 portraits, Artist or producer of 12 portraits.

Artistback to top

  • Sarah Lucas (1962-), Artist. Artist or producer of 12 portraits, Sitter in 15 portraits.

This portraitback to top

Human Toilet II is the sixth in a series of twelve self-portraits in which the artist challenges stereotypical representations of gender and sexuality. Here she sits on a toilet holding the cistern on her lap. This ambiguous work may be punning reference to the 'toilette' – a traditional term for the process of female grooming. Nevertheless, the image rejects the conventions associated with titillating depictions of women. The effect is deliberately confrontational and asexual.

Linked displays and exhibitionsback to top

Events of 1996back to top

Current affairs

The largest ever IRA bomb is detonated in Manchester causing the destruction of many buildings and over 200 injuries. Nobody died in the incident because a warning was given and the area evacuated. After the bombing much of Manchester was rebuild and in 1998 it won a successful bid to host the 2002 Commonwealth Games.
Prince Charles and Princess Diana finalise their divorce after four years of separation.

Art and science

The Spice Girls enjoy massive popular success with their first single Wannabe going straight to Number 1. The group are remembered as much for their sassy, outspoken 'girl power' attitude and their continuing subsequent celebrity as for their music.
Danny Boyle tells the story of a group of Edinburgh heroin addicts in his critically acclaimed film version of Irvine Welsh's novel Trainspotting.

International

The First Chechnya War breaks out between Chechnya and Russia when Russian forces invade the country in support of Chechnyan opposition to the government. The invasion went badly with strong Chechnyan resistance and dissent in the Russian command. However, a truce was finally established after Russia seized the capital Grozny. More than 46,000 people died as a result of the conflict.

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