Hug Me Daddy

Curators

Jules Bleckman

Artists

Ned Prizeman

Jaffar Aly

Archie Campbell

Ben Dawson

Amelia Johnson

Ben Adamson

Jules Bleckman

Mattia Guarnera-MacCarthy

Niamh Finnigan

Zac Yeates

Julia Pomeroy

This group exhibition explores the shifting landscape of masculinity in the 21st century. At a time of significant cultural and social transformation, the show invites artists to reflect on what it means to identify with or relate to the contemporary condition of manhood today; the emotional, cultural and political forces shaping how men understand themselves and how that intersects with the appeal of certain chauvinistic or reactionary figures.

The exhibition acknowledges the complex legacy of patriarchy and the ways in which it has shaped not only women’s lives but also the emotional and psychological realities of men. Themes such as emotional suppression, disconnection, the pressure to "provide," and the expectation to embody strength or dominance — often referred to as "traditional masculinity" — are examined through a contemporary lens.

This show invites artists from both inside and outside the idealised identity of the masculine to comment on how the rigid concepts affect them. It explores both the internal battle for men as well as how their behaviour impacts the world around them, most notably, how it affects people historically with less power.

At the same time, the show is aware of the cultural pushback and confusion that has emerged in response to changing gender norms. In a world where many are working to dismantle stereotypes and foster more inclusive identities, some men feel uncertain about their place. This has contributed to the popularity of figures like Jordan Peterson and Andrew Tate, whose ideas often appeal to those who feel alienated or unheard. Rather than endorsing or vilifying such responses, this exhibition aims to look at the emotional and cultural forces that underlie them.

Art offers a unique space for vulnerability, exploration, and dialogue — qualities that can sit uneasily with rigid ideals of masculinity. The show invites viewers to consider how artists — especially those working with concepts of ‘manhood’ — navigate these tensions in their creative practices. How does one cultivate openness and introspection in a world where masculine norms often reward stoicism and control? How do artists unlearn, reshape, or reclaim ideas of manhood? And how can these explorations foster connection, rather than division and stoic isolation?