Disgusting artworks: enthralling or revolting?
Revulsion is one of the strongest human reactions and if art is designed to instil an emotional response in the viewer, what is the role of disgust in art? Stig Abell explores what makes us disgusted and how artists have used disgust to enthral or repel audiences. He speaks to artist Andrea Hasler, whose wax-based sculptures re-imagine luxury goods like handbags with raw fleshy innards, along with art critic Estelle Lovatt and horror fan Kim Newman to explore the role of disgust in visual art and film.

Image: Andrea Hasler, at Andrea Hasler, ‘Burdens of Excess’ installation at Gusford Los Angeles.
Image credit: Andrea Hasler/Gusford Gallery, Los Angeles

First broadcast on Front Row, 22 October 2018.