Tulsa's First Thursday features Posing

(Tulsa) The August Oklahomans for Equality (OkEq) showcase and exhibit of local artists at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center (621 E. 4th Street in Downtown Tulsa), will feature “Posing, ” vintage beefcake and homoerotic photos from the private collection of Kevin Roden and Andre Chenault. The show begins with a reception on Thursday, August 1.

This collection of nudes and posings speaks to not only the art but also a snippet of time during the early 20th century when the “physical culture” movement led to a boom in professional photography featuring male body builders and models representing the idealized human form.

The nude body has always been a part of the history of photography; homoerotic photographs have been collected for many purposes: as artists' reference, medical/scientific study and often as fine art. While homoerotic art dates back to the Greco-Roman era, and perhaps earlier, homoerotic photography can be viewed both as art and as documentation.

During the early 20th century the “physical culture” movement led to a boom in professional photography featuring male body builders and models representing the idealized human form. Before societal acceptance of homosexuality, collections of homoerotic art, particularly photography, were collected and kept for private enjoyment. Our more open and accepting society and easy accessibility of homoerotic images on the Internet have led to the end of the era of printed homoerotic photographs. As collectors die, their homoerotic images are all too often considered worthless or shameful, and thrown out. This exhibit salvages some of these images, and so offers an overview of a vanishing era of homoerotic images as a photographic art form.

The show begins with a reception on Thursday, August 1 from 6-9 pm. There will be a door prize drawn of the artist’s work. The show continues throughout the month. There will be a Poster of “POSING” available for purchase at the opening. www.okeq.org.

Founded by a dedicated group of volunteers in 1980, Oklahomans for Equality/OkEq is Oklahoma’s oldest gay rights organization. From testing for HIV/AIDS and hosting the annual Tulsa Pride and Diversity Celebration to operating the Equality Center and documenting the Tulsa LGBT community’s rich history, OkEq works for social justice and full inclusion for Oklahoma’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) citizens and their allies. For more information, see www.okeq.org.

July 31, 2013