Sensation (art exhibition)

Sensation installed at Brooklyn Museum (October 1999 – January 2000)

Sensation was an exhibition of the collection of contemporary art owned by Charles Saatchi, including many works by Young British Artists (YBAs), which first took place 18 September – 28 December 1997 at the Royal Academy of Arts in London.[1] The exhibition later toured to the Hamburger Bahnhof in Berlin and the Brooklyn Museum in New York City. A proposed showing at the National Gallery of Australia was cancelled when the gallery's director decided the exhibition was "too close to the market."

The show generated controversy in London and New York City due to the inclusion of images of Myra Hindley and the Virgin Mary. It was criticised by New York City mayor Rudolph Giuliani and others for attempting to boost the value of the work by showing it in institutions and public museums.[2]

  1. ^ (12 September 1997). Sensation at the Royal Academy of Arts, London (press release). artdesigncafe. Retrieved 10 April 2020.
  2. ^ Herszenhorn, David M. (30 September 1999). Brooklyn Museum accused of trying to lift art value. New York Times. Retrieved 8 April 2020.