Sex Parts (FS. II 176) exemplifies Andy Warhol’s fearless exploration of the intersections between art, sexuality, and identity. Created in 1978, the series originated from a series of private photo sessions with models Warhol met in New York’s gay bathhouses and clubs, a project organized by his assistant, Victor Hugo. Warhol later divided these photographs into two distinct collections: Torsos, focusing on fragmented sensual forms, and Sex Parts, which depicted explicit sexual acts, boldly challenging the conventional boundaries between art and obscenity.

Sex Parts (FS. II 176) captures a poised, intimate moment: a fist near penetration, rendered with unflinching directness. The composition, tightly focused on the penetrating hand, the receptive posture, and the visible testicles of the receiving figure, conveys a scene of profound trust, surrender, and the negotiation of physical and emotional boundaries within intimate relationships. By isolating these elements, Warhol universalizes the act, inviting contemplation of the vulnerability and connection inherent in human intimacy.

Like the other five prints in the portfolio, Sex Parts (FS. II 176) reflects Warhol’s audacious approach to explicit imagery, urging viewers to reconsider entrenched notions about what belongs within the realm of public art. His choice to highlight specific, often taboo, moments of physical connection challenges traditional understandings of erotic art, blurring the line between the private act and public expression.

Despite resistance from galleries and collectors, Warhol remained unwavering in his commitment to exploring themes of sexuality, desire, and personal identity—particularly his experiences as a gay man. The Sex Parts series represents a pivotal phase in Warhol’s career and coincides with a larger cultural shift marked by the emergence of the LGBTQ+ rights movement.

Rendered in stark black and white with a sketch-like immediacy reminiscent of Warhol’s experimental films, Sex Parts (FS. II 176) stands as a raw and candid expression of male sexuality. Through these intimate depictions, Warhol challenges viewers to confront vulnerability, trust, and the essential human yearning for connection.