Why one artist is casting for Sex in the City

“We’re going to look at what London gets up to in private. It’s going to be very rude. And it’s quite challenging.”

So says artist Paul Stafford of his Sex in the City exhibition, which is currently showing at London’s Gallery Different.

Stafford first spent time making body casts of couples engaged in sexual acts at the gallery. All of those involved are volunteers.

I wanted to investigate, in the year 2014, just what we all get up to in the dark (and sometimes light) hours. Paul Stafford, artist

The sculptures are now on display to the – stricly adult – public. Alongside them, the exhibition features paintings and drawings of the models by other professional artists/

So what does this Sex in the City art project tell us? Stafford told Channel 4 News: “I wanted to see just how far individuals would go in search of a sexual encounter – to investigate in the year 2014 just what we all get up to in the dark (and some times light) hours.”

And he stresses that volunteers have been easy to find. “It’s not been difficult to find subjects – it’s been amazingly easy. I’ve had to turn people down.

“People are amazingly open to talk about their sexual life.”

'Love all ways and always'

Two years ago, after new year, I was travelling down from Scotland with BA flying with my friend - let's call him James, writes Paul Stafford.

James is gay and was giggling away to himself. He was on his new app - finding friends to meet up with. It transpired that three other male gay men flying on the same plane were asking James to meet up in the gents at Heathrow to have sex, no strings attached.

Sex in the City was born. From that date I have been collecting articles, cuttings from everyday newspapers all with a common theme: sex.

All manner of people - strangers,. couples, singles, gay, straight - were having uncomplicated, non-committal, non-attached sex, every day, in every way. As Gilbert and George would say: "Love all ways and always."

I wanted to see just how far individuals would go in search of a sexual encounter - to investigate, in the year 2014, just what we all get up to in the dark (and some times light) hours.

I was completely taken aback, inundated with willing models for my Sex in the City survey. I have cross-dressers, gay couples, couples into pegging (look it up), single men and women, and a man who likes to wear his socks, shoes, garters and nothing else.

I have been amazed, overwhelmed and completely gobsmacked at just what our neighbours and friends get up to. I must have turned away 20 willing participants for my intimate body-casting sessions full to bursting after five days on social media. It's rude and of the now. Sex in the City - will you dare to come?