Contemporary art USA

Capital show for gay art

The Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery in Washington is raising funds to present the first ever federally-backed gay art exhibition

The first ever federal-backed gay art exhibition, “Hide-Seek: Difference and Desire in American Portraiture”, will show in October at the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery in Washington, DC—and a fundraising drive was launched this week to support it. The show, which explores the role of gay and lesbian artists in portraying modern America, will consist of over 150 works, with important loans from Europe.

Already $500,000 has been raised towards the $900,000 cost of the show. Performer/producer Johnnie Moore, launching the New York fundraising committee on Monday, said: “This is a masterpiece show that re-orientates our idea of modernism through the lens of sexual difference—it is right that this will take place in the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery, the national museum of American identity.” If the target is not reached by October, then the Smithsonian will extend a loan until the sum is reached.

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Comments

10 Mar 10
16:20 CET

GRAYVLAD, DETROIT

Since this is a national gallery, it would be fitting to use gay artists from around the country, not just NYC and LA. Art does exist between the coasts.

3 Mar 10
22:29 CET

GENDELL GALLERY, SAN FRANCISCO

“Hide-Seek: Difference and Desire in American Portraiture”, an apt title for the exploration of contributions by gay & lesbian artists. Hopefully the works of George Platt Lynes, Paul Cadmus, Will McBride, Amos Badertscher, Clifford Baker, Craig Cowan, Horst P. Horst, Justin Julius Santos, Henning Von Berg, Duane Michals, Robert Flynt, Kobi Israel, John Dugdale, Peter Hujar, Robert Mapplethorpe, Arthur Tress and Ruth Bernard will be amongst those artists represented. Additionally, author David Leddick would be a excellent consultant on this project.

3 Mar 10
17:47 CET

NICK MATRANGA, NEW YORK CITY

Well it's about time!!?? Any Mapplethorpes to stir up some controversy?? Ha HA!

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