SIXTY NINE: A Major Retrospective
This autumn, UK latex portrait artist Michelle Mildenhall presents her most ambitious and personal exhibition to date: SIXTY NINE— a retrospective celebrating 15 years of provocative, and empowering art.
Bringing together 69 pieces for the very first time, this landmark show offers a unique glimpse into the evolution of her highly distinctive style, one that explores fetish subcultures and sexual identity through a lens that is playful, powerful, and deeply personal.
Known for her signature technique, layering cut sheet latex to create striking, inspired portraits, Michelle’s work draws influence from a broad range of sexual fetishes including rubber fetishism, BDSM, and sexual objectification. These themes are used to challenge ideas around desire, dominance, and subversion. With a graphic pop art edge, her portraits transform familiar and iconic faces, as well as original characters into figures of empowerment, intrigue and humour.
SIXTY NINE is the largest exhibition of Michelle’s work to date and marks a key moment in her creative journey. From her earliest latex portraits to new, never-before-seen pieces, the exhibition forms a compelling visual narrative, revealing the influences, stories, and personal experiences that have shaped her voice as an artist.
Michelle has gained international recognition for her work, having exhibited at major art institutions including Saatchi Gallery (London), La Luz De Jesus Gallery (Los Angeles), and Sin City Gallery (Las Vegas). She was photographed by Rankin for his THE UNSEEN exhibition and her art is in collections all over the world. Her best-known piece QE2 was featured on the cover of Skin Two Magazine, further cementing her place within both the art and fetish communities. Every portrait is handmade, tactile, and loaded with symbolism. Her art, much like the material she uses, is sleek, sexy, and seductive.
SIXTY NINE is not just an exhibition. It’s a celebration of 15 years of creativity and determination. Whether you’re familiar with her work or discovering it for the first time, this promises to be a striking and unforgettable exhibition that captures the spirit of an artist unafraid to push boundaries.
Part of the Coastal Currents Arts Festival Opening night: Fri 12 September, 6pm – 10pm. Dressing up is encouraged but not obligatory. Prizes for best-dressed and runners-up. Exhibition dates: Sat 13 & Sun 14 September, 11am – 6pm Location: UNIT 2 GALLERY, 8-10 London Road, St Leonards on Sea, TN37 6AE
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