Vaginal Davis
Exhibitions, CV, Press
Vaginal Davis (b. Los Angeles, CA; lives and works in Berlin, DE) has been included in exhibitions at The Hammer (2021), Los Angeles, CA; Art Institute of Chicago (2020), IL; the New Museum (2017), 80WSE (2016), Cooper Union (2015), Participant Inc. (2012, 2010), all in New York, NY; Portland Art Museum (2018), Portland, OR; National Museum of Contemporary Art Bucharest, RO (2009); Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art Rijeka, HR (2009); Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, San Francisco, CA (2008); and Kunsthaus Bregenz, AUT (2006), among many others. She has performed at the New Museum, New York, NY (2017); documenta 14, Kassel, DE (2017); Lafayette Anticipations, Archives nationales, Paris, FR (2017); Arsenal Institut für Film und Videokunst, Berlin, DE (2017); GenderFest Athens, GRC (2017); Creative Time Summit, Washington, D.C. (2016);Kunstverein Hannover, DE (2016); Agnes Etherington Art Centre, Kingston, Ontario, CA (2015); Centre for Contemporary Arts Glasgow, SCO (2015); New York University, NY (2014); School of the Art Institute of Chicago, IL (2013, 2020); Participant Inc., New York, NY (2012); Southbank Centre, London, UK (2012); The Getty Center as part of Pacific Standard Time, Los Angeles, CA (2012); Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles, CA (2011); and Tate Modern, London, UK (2011), among others. Davis has been a visiting professor at Lund University-Malmö Art Academy, SE; Justus Liebig Universität Gießen, DE; Goethe Universität Frankfurt, DE; Harvard University, Cambridge, MA; and New York University, New York, NY. Her prolific artistic production also extends to her participation in a number of art bands including The Afro Sisters; Black Fag; ¡Cholita! The Female Menudo; and Pedro, Muriel, & Esther; as well as solo projects. Her zine publications include Dowager, Crude, Fertile La Toyah Jackson, Shrimp, the Magazine for Licking and Sucking Bigger and Better Feet, Yes, Ms. Davis, and Sucker. In 2009, she was awarded the Ethyl Eichelberger Art Prize. Davis has hosted and curated the performative film event Rising Stars, Falling Stars at the Arsenal Institut für Film und Videokunst in Berlin for eight years. Magnificent Product, a solo exhibition examining Davis’ work and legacy, is currently on view at the Moderna Museet, Nationalmuseum, Index, Accelerator, all Stockholm, SE.
Vaginal Davis
Della Reese at The Cine Grill, 2020
Hamamelis Wasser with Mandrake, Henbane and Datura, hydrogen peroxide, glycerine, food coloring, water color pencils, discontinued over the counter medicine including Anacin, Excedrin and Lydia E. Pinkham Health Tonic, coconut oil, nail polish, enamel, and hairspray
3 3/8h x 2 1/4w in
8.57h x 5.71w cm
VD202001
Vaginal Davis
Ladies of the Pavement, 2018
watercolor pencil, nail varnish, lip stain, eye shadow, glycerin, hydrogen peroxide, witch hazel, coconut oil, cocoa butter, perfume, hairspray, Anacin Fast Pain Relief Tablets, Excedrin Migraine & Headache Tablets, Lydia E. Pinkham Women's Compound and Health Tonic
5.80h x 4.10w in
14.73h x 10.41w cm
VD201808
Vaginal Davis
Heart and Sparks, 2018
watercolor pencil, nail varnish, lip stain, eye shadow, glycerin, hydrogen peroxide, witch hazel, coconut oil, cocoa butter, perfume, hairspray, Anacin Fast Pain Relief Tablets, Excedrin Migraine & Headache Tablets, Lydia E. Pinkham Women's Compound and Health Tonic
11.70h x 8.70w in
29.72h x 22.10w cm
VD201805
Vaginal Davis
Haystacks and Steeples, 2018
watercolor pencil, nail varnish, lip stain, eye shadow, glycerin, hydrogen peroxide, witch hazel, coconut oil, cocoa butter, perfume, hairspray, Anacin Fast Pain Relief Tablets, Excedrin Migraine & Headache Tablets, Lydia E. Pinkham Women's Compound and Health Tonic
11h x 8.70w in
27.94h x 22.10w cm
VD201804
Vaginal Davis
At the End of a Perfect Day, 2018
watercolor pencil, nail varnish, lip stain, eye shadow, glycerin, hydrogen peroxide, witch hazel, coconut oil, cocoa butter, perfume, hairspray, Anacin Fast Pain Relief Tablets, Excedrin Migraine & Headache Tablets, Lydia E. Pinkham Women's Compound and Health Tonic
11.70h x 8.20w in
29.72h x 20.83w cm
VD201801
Vaginal Davis
Jane Avril, 2018
glycerin, hydrogen peroxide, coconut oil, perfume, water color pencil, eye shadow, rouge, foundation, nail enamel, lacquer, polish, Datura, Hamamelis Wasser, Mandrake, Henbane, hairspray and Iberogast on found paper
9h x 6w in
22.86h x 15.24w cm
VD201821
Vaginal Davis
Le Spectre Vert, 2018
watercolor pencil, nail varnish, lip stain, eye shadow, glycerin, hydrogen peroxide, witch hazel, coconut oil, cocoa butter, perfume, hairspray, Anacin Fast Pain Relief Tablets, Excedrin Migraine & Headache Tablets, Lydia E. Pinkham Women's Compound and Health Tonic
7.60h x 5.50w in
19.30h x 13.97w cm
VD201807
Vaginal Davis
This For Zahed, 2018
watercolor pencil, nail varnish, lip stain, eye shadow, glycerin, hydrogen peroxide, witch hazel, coconut oil, cocoa butter, perfume, hairspray, Anacin Fast Pain Relief Tablets, Excedrin Migraine & Headache Tablets, Lydia E. Pinkham Women's Compound and Health Tonic
8.20h x 5.80w in
20.83h x 14.73w cm
VD201810
Vaginal Davis
The Book of Sawab and Suvur, 2018
watercolor pencil, nail varnish, lip stain, eye shadow, glycerin, hydrogen peroxide, witch hazel, coconut oil, cocoa butter, perfume, hairspray, Anacin Fast Pain Relief Tablets, Excedrin Migraine & Headache Tablets, Lydia E. Pinkham Women's Compound and Health Tonic
8.10h x 5.70w in
20.57h x 14.48w cm
VD201816
Vaginal Davis
Two Mary Wigmans, 2018
glycerin, hydrogen peroxide, coconut oil, perfume, water color pencil, eye shadow, rouge, foundation, nail enamel, lacquer, polish, Datura, Hamamelis Wasser, Mandrake, Henbane, hairspray and Iberogast on found paper
5 3/4h x 4w in
14.61h x 10.16w cm
VD201822
Vaginal Davis
Book of Salma and Suvad, 2017
watercolor pencil, nail varnish, lip stain, eye shadow, glycerin, hydrogen peroxide, witch hazel, coconut oil, cocoa butter, perfume, hairspray, Anacin Fast Pain Relief Tablets, Excedrin Migraine & Headache Tablets, Lydia E. Pinkham Women's Compound and Health Tonic
2h x 1 1/2w in
5.08h x 3.81w cm
VD201729
Vaginal Davis
So Red the Rose, 2017
watercolor pencil, nail varnish, lip stain, eye shadow, glycerin, hydrogen peroxide, witch hazel, coconut oil, cocoa butter, perfume, hairspray, Anacin Fast Pain Relief Tablets, Excedrin Migraine & Headache Tablets, Lydia E. Pinkham Women's Compound and Health Tonic
3.30h x 2.20w in
8.38h x 5.59w cm
VD201713
Vaginal DavisThe Dark One and the Gift, 2017
watercolor pencil, nail varnish, lip stain, eye shadow, glycerin, hydrogen peroxide, witch hazel, coconut oil, cocoa butter, perfume, hairspray, Anacin Fast Pain Relief Tablets, Excedrin Migraine & Headache Tablets, Lydia E. Pinkham Women's Compound and Health Tonic
11.80h x 8.90w in
29.97h x 22.61w cm
VD201711
Vaginal Davis
Barbara Bel Geddes, 2012
Britney Spears eye shadow, Wet n Wild nail polish, Afro Sheen Hair Conditioner, Aqua Net Extra Hold Hair Spray, water color pencils, and glycerine on cardboard
7 7/8h x 5 1/8w in
20h x 13.02w cm
VD201228
Vaginal Davis
The Good Fairies, 2017
watercolor pencil, nail varnish, lip stain, eye shadow, glycerin, hydrogen peroxide, witch hazel, coconut oil, cocoa butter, perfume, hairspray, Anacin Fast Pain Relief Tablets, Excedrin Migraine & Headache Tablets, Lydia E. Pinkham Women's Compound and Health Tonic
2.10h x 3.50w in
5.33h x 8.89w cm
VD201709
Vaginal Davis
Joanne Woodward Seven, 2012
Britney Spears eye shadow, Wet n Wild nail polish, Afro Sheen Hair Conditioner, Aqua Net Extra Hold Hair Spray, water color pencils, and glycerine on Cornflakes box
10 1/4h x 7 1/4w in
26.04h x 18.41w cm
VD201215
Vaginal Davis
Hagatha, 2012
Britney Spears eye shadow, Wet n Wild nail polish, Afro Sheen Hair Conditioner, Aqua Net Extra Hold Hair Spray, water color pencils, and glycerine on cardboard
11h x 2 7/8w in
27.94h x 7.30w cm
VD201204
Vaginal Davis
Jeanne Lanvin, Madame Grès, Elsa Schiaparelli, 2012
Britney Spears eye shadow, Wet n Wild nail polish, Afro Sheen Hair Conditioner, Aqua Net Extra Hold Hair Spray, water color pencils, and glycerine on cardboard
13 1/2h x 3 1/8w in
34.29h x 7.94w cm
VD201208
Vaginal Davis
Light Blue Eugenie DeGuerin, 2012
Britney Spears eye shadow, Wet n Wild nail polish, Afro Sheen Hair Conditioner, Aqua Net Extra Hold Hair Spray, water color pencils, and glycerine on Cornflakes box
10 5/8h x 7 1/4w in
26.99h x 18.41w cm
VD201206
Vaginal Davis
The White to be Angry, 1999
video, edition of 6, 2 APs
19 minutes, 22 seconds
Written and directed by Vaginal Davis.
Cinematography and editing by Lawrence Elbert.
VD_1999_01
Vaginal Davis
VooDoo Williamson - The Dona of Dance, 1995
video, edition of 6, 2 APs
17 minutes, 42 seconds
Written and Directed by Vaginal Davis. Edited by Lawrence Elbert
VD_1995_10