“A Homosexual Renaissance” curated by Hunter O’Hanian

Opening : Sunday 25th May 11:00a – 12:30p

A Queer Perspective on Historical Icons

Fresh from the Middle Ages, the Renaissance (1300-1600) was a period of exploration of the human experience, including science, literature, and, importantly, art. It was this period that ushered us into the Modern Age. In artwork commissioned by the Roman Catholic Church and other secular and nonsecular institutions, many images, although seemingly religious on their face, were deeply imbued with male sensuality and sexuality. Key figures such as Christ, St. Sebastian, John the Baptist, and others were depicted with scantily clad athletic bodies based upon Greek ideals of the perfect male form.  Pathos and suffering were present in nearly every painting.

Gay men have studied and admired this work for centuries. Indeed, in the 20th and 21st centuries, Gay men explored and, in many cases, created new works of art based on these masterpieces. In this exhibition are digital copies of major Renaissance paintings from significant museums paired with contemporary versions made by professionally trained and self-taught artists from the LA&M collection and other contemporary artists, allowing the viewer to explore this genre’s lasting impact, especially on the Gay male community.