Seeing
My eye has always been drawn to the unusual - a trait inherited from my father. He'd always notice 'something’, pointing out a way of looking at that which was not readily apparent. I find myself gazing at something -- often something very small; a stone or a spot where paint has been worn away. Things became pictures, stories, myths.
I was given a camera when in my 20's, and I was obsessed with male bodies. I collaborated with lovers, tricks and friends, to capture the shapes of my desires. I took workshops to learn the craft and science of imagery and assisted commercial photographers to gain experience with lighting . I moved within a circle of artists and performers, took in all the richness of NYC cultural life and all the mysteries of the night life as well.
All of it is reflected my art.
Charles Leslie, founder of the Leslie Lohman Museum gave me the finest compliment of my life when he said to a colleague that the reason he loves my work is that I do not simply take a snapshot of a good looking man, but that each image is informed by a wide knowledge of art,history and mythology.
I have branched out in recent years to create three dimensional art through sculpture and assemblage, which I first exhibited in my latest solo show here in NYC in May 2022. This work appears in the ‘Unique Works’ section along with along with the remaining large exhibition prints from that show. I do hope you enjoy them.
Some professional credits…
My work is in the permanent collections of the Tom of Finland Foundation (LA) and the Leslie Lohman Museum (NYC) as well as many private collections.
My work has been in numerous exhibitions, including numerous East Village (NYC) shows in various now defunct galleries between 1983 - 2000
- Different Light Bookstore (NYC)
- Portraits of Gay Singer/Songwriters 1991 (Solo Exhibition)
- Gallery 1417 Gallery Hells Kitchen NYC) 1985 - Shadow and Light (Solo Exhibition)
- Grey Art Gallery (NYC) c.1998
- a dozen shows at the Leslie Lohman Gallery (NYC), the last being 2014 and 2019
- Tom of Finland Expositions, LA and NYC from 2003-2008 [my work is in their Collection]
- Seattle Erotic Art Show 2014 (Honorable Mention) and 2016
- Salmagundi Club (NYC) 2018 [yearly group show]
- The Male Gaze, Leslie Lohman Museum, NYC, 2019
- Men and Memorabilia, Soho Project Space, 2022 (Solo Exhibition)
- Pride Art New York/Berlin, Soho Project Space, group show 2022
- Atlantic Gallery (NYC), Invitational show 2022
- The Muse, Soho Project Space, group show 2023
- Salmagundi Club (NYC) 2023 Figurative Exhibition
- Atlantic Gallery (NYC), Invitational show 2023
Publications:
- 'Male Bonding' from FotoFactory Press 1996 (ISBN 1-883923-15-8)
- 'Beasts' from FotoFactory Press 1997 (ISBN 1-883923-23-9)
- 'Male Bonding Volume 2' from FotoFactory Press 1998 (ISBN 1-883923-32-8)
- 'Uniforms' from FotoFactory Press 1998 (ISBN 1-883923-31-X)
- 'Deep Blue' from Studio Publications, 2004 (ISBN 0-9581709-0-8)
- 'Raunch' from Bruno Gmunder, 2014 (ISBN 978-3-86787-664-3)
My Work was also enjoyed in dozens of Queer Magazines from 1994 - 2006, including Honcho, Inches, Drummer, Mandate, Torso and Playguy under the name ‘Spikefoto’.