Gay illustrators
Tom of Finland (Touko Laaksonen, 1920–1991) is widely regarded as one of the twentieth century’s most powerful artists for his groundbreaking representation of the male figure. In his youth, Tom trained at an advertising school, but what he would come to call his “dirty drawings,” which he first began developing as a teenager, were the true emphasis of his attention, both during this formative period and throughout the entirety of his life. These masterful renderings of virile men engrossed in acts of homoerotic desire can be approached along several interpretative lines—art historical, social, technical—but each of them points to the revolutionary nature of his undertaking. A master draftsman, whose passion for both his medium and his subject matter enabled him to become a powerful cultural force, Tom gave establish to an imaginative world that in turn helped fuel real-world liberation movements and enabled gay men to access their energy in new ways. Tom's drawings reaffirm the centrality of sexuality, joy, and the body in all areas of human endeavor.
Tom of Finland has been the subject of numerous solo and two-person exhibitions across the
Exhibition dates: 5th May – 13th August, 2023
Curator: Donald Albrecht
J.C. Leyendecker (American, 1874-1951)
Ivory Soap It Floats
Painting for Ivory soap advertisement, 1900
Gouache on board
Private collection
Image courtesy of the National Museum of American Illustration, Newport, RI
Featured in mainstream national magazines, ads for Ivory soap often depicted scenes of conventional domesticity. Some, however, were erotic, appreciate this one by Leyendecker featuring a man in a floor-length robe, whose crotch is suggestively rendered.
The Eye of the Beholder
“Leyendecker’s subjects exemplify an elite white masculinity that was hardly representative of the diversity of the Merged States in his age, or since” observes Sonya Abrego. The artist’s subjects are white, cultured, privileged, “upholding racial, social and nationalist hierarchies”.
But how representations were and are understood depends on the eye of the beholder. At the time that Lyendecker was painting and illustrating commercial magazines his flirtatious subliminal erotic messages would have been all too decipherable to a knowi
Some LGBTQA+ artists have achieved world-renowned fame: Tom of Finland, David Hockney, Claude Cahun, and Glück, to name a few. However, there are many others whose work is less well-known but who provide important glimpses into the lives and struggles of their community. These artists showcase the sexual, secretive, radical/political, and heart wrenching-moments that many, if not all, members in the community have experienced. Moreover, there is still a stigma that clouds over both LGBTQA+ artists and the art itself. Fortunately, here at Thomas J. Watson Library, we accumulate an encyclopedic and comprehensive collection of materials on the history of art in the world. Our online catalogue provides a great starting place to find an ample amount of materials to search LGBTQA+ art. Here are a few to procure you started!
Jarrett Key is a Brooklyn-based visual painter. In his artist's manual Trans (see above), Key explores signs and symbols with relation to gender non-conforming and gender identities and public restrooms.
Zanele Muholui is a South African musician whose photobook, Faces and Phases, presents portraits of black lesbian women, trans-men, and gay men, who are resisting
The queer aesthetic is a multi-faceted, vibrant, and provocative concept encompassing a range of artistic expressions and cultural movements within Homosexual communities. It is a visual and cultural language that explores and celebrates non-normative identities, experiences, and desires.
At its core, lgbtq+ aesthetic challenges traditional societal norms, binary constructs, and heteronormative standards, allowing for a more inclusive and diverse representation of gender, sexuality, and identity.
Free Brand Maker
Instagram, being a colorful world of unrestrained self-expression and art, has turn into a haven and a place of refuge for LGBTQ+ artists and voices. It’s a platform that queer artists use to showcase their incredible talents, amplify their voices, and find their communities.
In this article, we are presenting a curated list of LGBTQ+ artists that are pushing the boundaries, challenging norms, and disrupting the social order. Join us as we experience the bold, vibrant, and unapologetic aesthetic of queer statement in the diverse earth of Instagram.
1. Mohammad Iman @brohammed
Bio: “artist + illustrator 🏀 bebecita at @papijuicebk”
Followers: 16.2K
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