The LGBTQ community has made a lot of political progress over the past 75+ years. While it’s not perfect, gay men, lesbians, trans folks and people of color have been accepted worldwide far more than they were in the past.
But with that success, we have seen male homoerotic art take a back seat. Leaders who used visual art, in a transgressive fashion, like Tom of Finland, Bob Mizer, Quaintance, are hard to find today. Few galleries show gay male art.
While there has been an overall increase in queer art publishing and we see artists using new art forms today, the number of publications focusing on male homoerotic art has reduced. With the demise of German publishing powerhouse Bruno Gmuender, there is virtually no major publisher.
At the same time aggressive new forms of censorship have found their way into the public space. Posts on Facebook or Instagram will be shut down due to individual reporting or algorithm strikes. On Ebay, it’s difficult to buy or sell back copies of Drummer or Honcho.
And governmental censorship is at historic higher levels. Ideological conservatives have proposed and enacted laws which villainize nearly all forms of homosexuality.
This is an opportunity to advance discussion around homoerotic art today with other like minded individuals (e.g. artists, collectors, publishers, writers). And in the best case, the conversation should help create new ideas and new possibilities that exist in this more diverse, digital and global world of today.
Join us in Fort Lauderdale Sunday, December 10 2023 (right after Art Basel in Miami) for a half-day discussion about the future of gay male art. We will meet in Wilton Manors on the afternoon of December 10.
The meeting is by invitation only and free of charge but feel free to suggest others who might be interested in joining us. You will be responsible for your own transportation, accommodations and meals.
We hope you can join the discussion!
Hunter O’Hanian
Fort Lauderdale
Mischa Gawronski
Berlin