For the first time in the Netherlands: Exhibition about sexual diversity in China. Secret Love, sexual diversity in China. An art exhibition in the Tropenmuseum from 2 May to 13 September 2015.
Secret Love, a contemporary art exhibition about the taboo surrounding lesbian, homosexual, bisexual and transgender (LGBTs) identities in China. Despite this taboo there have been positive changes in China regarding sexual diversity. What does this mean for LGBTs? You see the China of today where artists contribute to a growing awareness of the rights for LGBTs and embrace the struggle against prejudice. Love has no gender!
Secret Love, sexual diversity in China can be seen in the Tropenmuseum from 2 May.
![Sexual-diversity_lead_120x180[1]](https://i0.wp.com/diplomatmagazine.eu/wp-content/uploads/Sexual-diversity_lead_120x1801.jpg?ssl=1)
Open to discussion
This is the first contemporary art exhibition in the Netherlands about the taboo surrounding LGBTs in China. The Tropenmuseum’s Secret Love, sexual diversity in China exhibition comprises around 45 works by 10 renowned Chinese artists such as Ma Liuming, Gao Brothers, Li Xiaofeng and Chi Peng. The works explore subjects such as sexuality, desire and taboo. The exhibition emphasizes in particular the artists’ commitment to creating change. With their artworks they contribute to opening up the discussion about sexual diversity.
Taboo
During the last ten years positive changes regarding sexual diversity have occurred in China. In 1997 homosexuality was decriminalized and since 2001 it is no longer seen as a mental illness. The Internet and a more open society have contributed to a greater awareness of sexual rights. Sexual diversity is now more openly spoken about. 
Exhibition from Sweden
The exhibition was originally curated by the National Museums of World Culture in Sweden and is now on show for the first time in the Netherlands. Curator Si Han says: “We have done extensive research in preparation for this exhibition. This is something that nobody has done before. You could say that this exhibition is a new chapter in Chinese artistic history.”
Identity – who are you, to which group do you belong and what is your place in the world? – is a recurrent theme in the Tropenmuseum. This and the topicality of the subject make it particularly appropriate to bring this exhibition to the Tropenmuseum.
