Mayfair's Archive Exhibitions: Sexy Shows
At times, Mayfair's archives have been exhibited in galleries or museums, recognizing the magazine's cultural and artistic significance. These exhibitions contextualize adult media within art history. In fact, it is an acknowledgement that pornography has always played an important role in society, influencing artworks of every medium. For instance, Banksy's famous painting "Slave Labour" references Mayfair's advertisements featuring black women working on assembly lines, while his "Girl with Balloon" may be read as satire against Mayfair's fetishization of Asian women. Andy Warhol's iconic Marilyn Monroe series was inspired by the actress's cover photo for Mayfair, which shows her posing nude in the same pose. Pop Art emerged in part from consumerist erotica such as magazines like Mayfair. The public exhibition of Mayfair's material also encourages discourse about censorship, sexual norms, and freedom of speech. Many artists have made work critiquing the magazine, including Chris Ofili's "The Holy Virgin Mary" that repurposed a Mayfair centerfold to represent the Black Madonna. His paintings explore the intersections between religion, race, gender, and sexuality. Other artists, such as Kara Walker, have used racial stereotypes found in Mayfair to comment on white supremacy and colonialism. Public exhibitions elevate the magazine's status as cultural heritage. However, they can also raise questions about what is considered obscene or acceptable, and whether pornographic images should ever enter public spaces.
Aside from its influence on art history, Mayfair's archive demonstrates how sexual media has evolved over time. Advertisers use words like "bodacious", "amorous", and "luscious" to sell their products, suggesting that sex appeal remains important to consumers across generations. In addition, the magazine's photos demonstrate changing ideas about race, gender, and body types. For instance, Mayfair helped popularize blonde bombshells like Raquel Welch and Farrah Fawcett, while later issues featured more diverse models like Naomi Campbell and Tyra Banks. Finally, these archives provide insight into social movements like feminism and LGBTQ+ rights. They show how women and queer people asserted themselves through erotic imagery, even if it was controversial at the time. While some may view these exhibitions with discomfort, they offer an opportunity for reflection and dialogue around sex in society.