Art terms

LGBTQ+ artists

Peter Getting out of Nick's Pool
© Estate of David Hockney. Image credit: Richard Schmidt, courtesy of David Hockney, Inc.

Peter Getting out of Nick's Pool 1966

David Hockney (1937–2026)

Walker Art Gallery

This page gives you a useful starting point to begin exploring the work of LGBTQ+ artists on Art UK.

Reclining female nude
Image credit: By permission of Amgueddfa Cymru – Museum Wales

Reclining female nude

Gwen John (1876–1939)

Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales

Defining what we mean by LGBTQ+ artists

But what do we mean by 'LGBTQ+ artists'?

The acronym stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer – with the plus sign signifying that this is only a partial list of sexual identities, and others are welcome under its banner.

It is important to note that some of these terms have been used as slurs in the past, but have largely been reclaimed by members of the various communities.

Figures in a Farmyard
© the artist's estate / Bridgeman Images. Image credit: National Galleries of Scotland

Figures in a Farmyard 1953

Robert Colquhoun (1914–1962)

National Galleries of Scotland

Drawing on decades of research

LGBTQ+ people have always existed, and there have been many artists who fall under this banner.

While artists today may declare themselves as part of the community, it is sometimes difficult to conclusively say whether artists from the past would have identified as LGBTQ+ or not. So while there is always a note of caution around ahistorical assumptions, sometimes art historians will build a case from the existing evidence to make a convincing argument one way or the other. Additionally, historians may disagree on conclusions, sometimes leaving us with no definitive answer.

The difficulty of identifying identity is compounded by the fact that through history, across the world, LGBTQ+ people have often been marginalised from society – and even criminalised until relatively recently. As a result, evidence might have been deliberately hidden or even destroyed.

Scallop: A Conversation with the Sea
© the artist / Bridgeman Images. Image credit: Tony Wooderson / Art UK

Scallop: A Conversation with the Sea 2003

Maggi Hambling (b.1945) and Sam and Dennis Pegg

Off Thorpe Road, Aldeburgh, Suffolk

A place to start exploring

Aside from the usual caveats of queer history, we have gathered together stories about LGBTQ+ artists on the site in order to help people find them more easily.

You can also search for stories about LGBTQ+ subjects and themes elsewhere.

The Art UK Shop has a selection of artwork by LGBTQ+ artists to buy and support museums and galleries.

Stories

Learning resources

Do you know someone who would love this resource?
Tell them about it...