Andy Warhol, Sex Parts (FS II.173), 1978

Sex Parts (FS. II 173) exemplifies Andy Warhol’s groundbreaking exploration of art, sexuality, and identity. Created in 1978, the portfolio emerged from Warhol’s private photo sessions with models he encountered in New York’s gay bathhouses and clubs—a project organized with the help of his assistant, Victor Hugo. Warhol later divided these photographs into two series: Torsos, which focused on sensual but non-explicit poses, and Sex Parts, which depicted overt sexual acts, challenging conventional distinctions between art and obscenity.

In Sex Parts (FS. II 173), Warhol’s fascination with texture and tactile sensation comes to the forefront. The image captures the intimate act of one man's hairy arms embracing another man's buttocks, focusing solely on the physicality and raw sensory nature of the moment. Stripped of broader context or individual identity, the scene emphasizes touch, vulnerability, and human connection without the burden of societal judgment or narrative.

Like the other five prints in the portfolio, Sex Parts (FS. II 173) reflects Warhol’s audacious approach to explicit subject matter, forcing viewers to reconsider entrenched notions of what constitutes public art. His decision to isolate and highlight these intensely private interactions confronts traditional perceptions of erotic art, blurring the line between private intimacy and public display.

Despite considerable resistance from galleries and collectors, Warhol remained steadfast in his commitment to exploring themes of desire, sexuality, and identity—particularly his own experiences as a gay man. The Sex Parts series marks a pivotal moment in his career and coincides with a broader cultural shift driven by the emerging LGBTQ+ rights movement.

Rendered in stark black and white with a sketch-like immediacy reminiscent of Warhol’s experimental films, Sex Parts (FS. II 173) stands as a candid, unapologetic expression of male sexuality. Through these works, Warhol invites viewers to engage with universal themes of vulnerability, trust, and the deep-seated human need for connection.

For more information on Warhol’s Sex Parts Sex Parts (FS. II 173)) or to buy Sex Parts (FS. II 173), contact our galleries using the form below.

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Andy Warhol