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A lipsmacking journey from kisses galore to tears of despair – How Do We Find Love? review
The Sainsbury Centre’s two exhibitions, *The Last Human Kiss* and *Ecstasy and the Aftermath*, explore kissing, love, desire and heartbreak through art. The reviewer finds the subject compelling but says the shows’ broad themes make their ideas feel obvious and, at times, unfocused.
The first exhibition brings together depictions of political, religious, familial and romantic kisses, including works by Rodin, Edvard Munch and Wolfgang Tillmans. The second ranges from romantic desire and heartache to maternal love, grief and friendship, featuring works by Somaya Critchlow, Judy Chicago, Jane Hayes Greenwood and Marina Abramović and Ulay; the reviewer argues that its many themes would have worked better as separate, more focused shows.
In short
- Two Sainsbury Centre exhibitions examine love, kissing and heartbreak.
- The reviewer says the themes are too broad.
- Strong artworks are let down by a lack of focus.