You are invited to
Bad Behaviour presents
‘Gritted Teeth’
Private view: (Opening Night)
Thursday 28th May, 6-9pm
Exhibition dates
29th - 31st May , 10am-5pm
Location
Downstairs @The Department Store
248 Ferndale Rd, Brixton SW9 8FR
This May, grassroots arts collective Bad Behaviour presents Gritted Teeth, a bold new exhibition exploring the quiet resilience and absurd expectations woven into womanhood.
Featuring 24 female artists spanning ages from 20s to 70s. Gritted Teeth delves into everyday acts of endurance: smiling through mansplaining, enduring heels that hurt, bras that dig in, discomfort disguised as beauty, and holding composure under the pressures the patriarchy piles on.
The artworks live in that tense space between grace and discomfort, patience and pressure - blending humour with honesty born from the sheer absurdity of it all.
Gritted Teeth is for every woman who has ever smiled or sighed through the nonsense, adjusted her straps, and carried on anyway. It’s art by women, but for everyone - exploring serious issues alongside humorous ones. Gritted teeth is a metaphor for eye-rolling, inwardly sighing, taking a deep breath. We’ve all done that, haven’t we?!
This free exhibition moves beyond traditional gallery boundaries to offer an unapologetic and accessible look at the grit required to navigate 2026.
Special Events
Artist Talks: Sunday 31st May, 1-4pm
Visitors vote: Vote for your favourite artwork. The winning artist will receive a prize (sponsored by The Laundry, Brixton)
Entry: FREE
Drinks available at the bar.
ABOUT BAD BEHAVIOUR: Bad Behaviour is a Brixton-based arts collective championing bold, boundary-pushing work that celebrates diverse voices and challenges conventions.
ARTISTS: Nikki Allford, Ingrid Barber, Clare Barstow, Alaina Cherry, Shirley Cullum, Lolly Golding, Stacey Guthrie, Irene Haro, Kirsty Harris, Sally Hewett, Nonika Hendrickse Vagliviello, Birgitta Hosea, Linda Hubbard, Rose Illingworth, Amber Joy, Ellie Laycock, Sarah Muwanga, Araba Ocran, Jane Oldfield, Nina Robinson, Katie Surridge, Kim Thornton, Anne Tilby and Debs Wrekon
Curated by Araba Ocran
The exhibition is proudly supported by Brixton Bid, WP Notcutt Ltd, Fantasy Greens, 2D:3D Ltd, and The Laundry
CONTACT: badbehaviourart@gmail.com
Website: badbehaviour.london