Major monographic exhibition by Los Angeles-based artist Paul Mpagi Sepuya (b. 1982, United States) is on view at Nottingham Contemporary until 5th May. The exhibition, which features more than 40 photos is Sepuya’s first institutional presentation of her work in the UK. And it’s elegant, stunning and sexy.

The intimate studio portraits that Sepuya created to examine the interactions between the camera, subject, and viewer are his most well-known works. In addition to depicting desire, his photos also explore the process of creating images. Friends, lovers, and others from the artist’s queer and creative communities are all depicted withing his gorgeous visuals. Sepuya’s body is frequently featured in his works too, either as reflections or as outside the frame.

The inspiration for Sepuya’s most recent series of work, Daylight Studio / Dark Room Studio, comes from the history of photography, specifically from daylight studios in 19th-century Europe and North America. Paul Mpagi Sepuya: Nottingham exposure Contemporary juxtaposes a range of works from the previous eight years that revolve around various concepts and acts of “exposure” with these latest investigations, which include three brand-new works.

The show explores issues of visibility and invisibility, of the gaze, of what is veiled and what is disclosed, from frequently overlooked moments of queer intimacy to the traces of people left behind after they have left the studio. The tripod and camera serve as constant reminders of how an image is constructed, highlighting Sepuya’s place. It’s stunning and a must-see show!

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