Visit the Title IX online viewing room here

Alvin Armstrong, Andrea Bergart, Celia Croft, Didi Rojas, Elena Redmond, Ellen Hanson, Eric Yahnker, Evgen Čopi Gorišek, Fay Sanders, Felandus Thames, Gao Hang, Hamish Chapman, Jansson Stegner, Jake Troyli, Jeremy John Kaplan, Julius Hofmann, Kristine Moran, Laura Nova, Mattia Guarnera-MacCarthy, Max Heiges, Misaki Kawai, Monica Kim Garza, Nikko Washington, Noel W Anderson, Olivier Souffrant, Rachael Bos, Ricardo Partida, Royal Jarmon, Sheena Rose, Quinci Baker and Wendy White.

The Hole is proud to present Title IX a sports-themed group show across our two New York galleries, Bowery and Tribeca, curated by Charlotte Grüssing. The exhibition’s title references the policy that requires educational institutions to treat all sexes and gender identities equally, widely known for its impact on expanding opportunities for women and girls in sports. While celebrating women and historically excluded groups in sports, the exhibit highlights both Title IX’s impacts and shortcomings while more broadly exploring the politics, pleasure and power of sports.

June 23rd, 2023 marks the 51st anniversary of Title IX. When signed into law in 1972 less than 300,000 girls nationwide played high school sports; that number is now more than three million. Despite the monumental impact on participation for women, white women have been the overwhelming beneficiaries while Black female athletes are still underrepresented in most programs. Addressing only one category of bias, and lacking language on the intersectionality of race, sexuality and income, Title IX is just the starting line for a more critical and inclusive look at sports.

From elite gymnastics to tennis and swimming, certain sports are still not commonly associated with Black participation and excellence. In Simone (above) and The Hindrance we see two of the USA’s most decorated female athletes, Simone Biles and Venus Williams who have broken records in predominantly white spaces. In Quinci Baker’s video work The Hindrance we see Williams penalized for beads falling out of her hair during a serve at the Australian Open, a call made by the white male umpire.

It is the bodies not the voices of athletes that most fans care about, yet the voices of athletes are more powerful than ever: when QB Colin Kaepernick knelt during the national anthem as a protest against social injustice, especially the death of African-Americans at the hands of police brutality, his silent protest made global noise and sparked strong reactions from supporters and critics alike. Many believe politics should be kept out of sport ("shut up and dribble”), craving pure entertainment, awe inspiring athleticism, sublime skill and the spectacle of what the human body can achieve. But sport, even during the most nail-biting matches and penalty shoot outs does not exist in a vacuum.

“You want my politics out of sports? Take your politics out of sports.”- Colin Kaepernick

The fascination and objectification of athletes' bodies have long been a major player in sports culture. Across the two galleries we see athletes in all shapes and forms, from Celia Croft's strong female bodybuilder flexing her guns, to Misaki Kawai’s playful tennis-playing teddy. In Die Tennisspierlen, Julius Hofmann points to the sexualisation of the female body in both art history and sports. Hoffman’s title references German Artist Anton Räderscheidt’s 1926 painting, featuring a clothed man watching a nude, female tennis player from behind a fence. Hofmann’s take removes the male voyeur while adding a Nike logo shaved into her pubic hair, transforming her nudity into a branded uniform. In considering apparel worn in competition, female athletes have historically worn much skimpier uniforms than men, enforced both by regulations set by men and intended to inspire viewership by men. In Real Girls Playing Real Golf, Elena Redmond depicts the very real, very practical attire of two female golfers, topless and shoeless.

Title IX is currently in the news with respect to gender identity. In the last two years, at least eighteen states have introduced or passed laws to ban transgender and nonbinary students from competing in sports. The Biden administration has proposed amendments which have divided the athletic community. Wendy White paints the debate depicting Billie Jean King who proudly supports the inclusion of trans athletes as well as Martina (c. 1981; Retitled), Martina Navratilova who has championed women's sport yet opposes the inclusion of Trans Athletes.

The struggles and stereotypes, trends and triumphs we see play out in sports reflect what we see at scale in the arena of the everyday. Like in sports there are opposing sides, unfair advantages and obstacles to participation. There is also much to celebrate; victory laps to be had and pride to be taken.

Thank you Anna Zorina Gallery, Daniel Faria Gallery, Galerie Droste, Johansson Projects, Kendall Koppe, Monique Meloche, Nino Mier Gallery, Stems Gallery, Tchotchke Gallery, and V1 Gallery.

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BOWERY

LIST OF BOWERY ARTISTS: Alvin Armstrong, Andrea Bergart, Eric Yahnker, Celia Croft, Mattia Guarnera MaCcarthy, Didi Rojas, Elena Redmond, Ellen Hanson, Evgen Čopi Gorišek, Fay Sanders, Felandus Thames, Gao Hang, Jake Troyli, Julius Hofmann, Max Heiges, Misaki Kawai, Monica Kim Garza, Nikko Washington, Noel W Anderson, Olivier Souffrant, Rachael Bos, and Ricardo Partida

INSTALL SHOTS BOWERY

TRIBECA

LIST OF TRIBECA ARTISTS: Evgen Čopi Gorišek, Felandus Thames, Gao Hang, Hamish Chapman, Jansson Stegner, Jeremy John Kaplan, Kristine Moran, Laura Nova, Mattia Guarnera MaCcarthy, Quinci Baker, Rachael Bos, Royal Jarmon, Sheena Rose, and Wendy White

INSTALL SHOTS TRIBECA