Bad Behaviour presented Gritted Teeth an art exhibition

Bad Behaviour Presents ‘GRITTED TEETH’ an art exhibition by women, for everyone to enjoy

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.

Araba Ocran, artist and curator of Gritted Teeth says “This exhibition 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 and taking a deep breath. We’ve all done that, haven’t we?!”

Situated in the downstairs space at The Department Store, Brixton, this free exhibition moves beyond traditional gallery boundaries to offer an unapologetic and accessible look at the “grit” required to navigate 2026.

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

Bad Behaviour is a Brixton-based arts collective championing bold, boundary-pushing work that celebrates diverse voices and challenges conventions.

The exhibition is proudly supported by Brixton Bid, WP Notcutt Ltd, 2D:3D Ltd, and The Laundry