Queer Art Kiernan Forster Art190-072 03/30/2020 What is it? • Queer* art refers to any art that explores queer identities. • The messages, issues, and ideas that are addressed may be expressed covertly or overtly. • Queer art has been made in many styles, by many artists, and in many forms of media • Queer refers to the reclamation of the term by many people with LGBTQIA+ identities. It is not meant in an offensive or derogatory way. What purpose does queer art serve? • Entertainment and enjoyment • Communication • Conveyance of experiences of those with queer identities • Communication of political ideas that affect those with queer identities • Create spaces of visibility • Expression • Expression of queer identities • Connection between artists and viewers What makes queer art important? • Over the years there has been controversy surrounding the “identity politics” of queer art • Some artists embrace the term while others say their identity is not an important part of their work. • For those who’s identities do play a part in the creation and viewing of art, having explicit space for that identity is an important aspect of the artistic process. Symbolism and the Queer Identity One of the biggest intersections between art and identity is through symbolism The Pink Triangle • During World War II, inverted pink cloth triangles were worn by homosexuals in concentration camps to differentiate them from other inmates • In later years the pink triangle was reclaimed* in the ‘70s and ‘80s “as a reminder of the past and a pledge that history will not repeat itself” • During the AIDS/HIV epidemic the pink triangle was further repurposed, this time upright, and often paired with the slogan “Silence=Death” *For some the reclamation of the triangle is not embraced due to it’s dark history and the pain it represents Pride Flags • Likely the most well known symbol of the LGBTQIA+ community, each flag contains it’s own meanings and symbolism as well Use of Art During the HIV/AIDS Crisis • During the ‘80s waves of queer activists arose in response to the lack of attention and support given during the AIDs epidemic which disproportionally affected queer people • Art and symbolism were widely used during marches, demonstrations, and acts of civil disobedience in order to garner awareness and spread political messages • Propaganda, t-shirts, signs and placards, graphics Queer Art and Queer Artists Examples Throughout the Ages Early Examples in History • The history of queer art could be traced all the way back to ancient Greek times • Ancient Greeks considered sexual attraction between men both normal and natural and this idea was often conveyed in their art. Giovanni “Il Sodoma” Antonio Bazzi (1477-1549) • Il Sodoma was an Italian fresco painter during the Renaissance era. • Although he had a wife and children, it is claimed he was often seen surrounded by “an entourage of foppish boys.” Modernly it is theorized he likely had an attraction to men and women. • The nickname, Il Sodoma (The Sodomite), which he came to embrace and flaunt, as well as eventually became the name he was best known as, had originally been given by detractors to mock his homosexuality. The Work of Il Sodoma • Sodoma often painted people as especially androgynous and beautiful, such as in his piece St. Sebastian (bottom) • His piece Marriage of Alexander the Great and Roxana (top) depicts the Roman Alexander gazing at his wife Roxanne being undressed by Cupid while to his right Hephaestion, who was known to be Alexander’s personal guard and lover, leans on the Roman god of marriage, seemingly highlighting the emperor’s bisexuality. • His works has been described as demonstrating sentimentality of same-sex intimacy between men and women Michelangelo (1547-1564) • Michelangelo was and remains a renowned painter, architect, sculptor, engineer, and poet and is considered one of the biggest influences on modern western culture. • Although it cannot be definitively said he was homosexual in the modern conception, there is much broad evidence that he held a desire and attraction to men. • One of the biggest pieces of evidence for this is letters, drawings, and gifts delivered to Tommaso de' Cavalieri, who has been described by scholars as the unrequited love of Michelangelo’s life. Among these letters is what is said to be “the first large collection of love poems by one man to another in modern Western literature.” • Michelangelo also seemed to hold much internal conflict regarding his attraction to men, something that can be seen in both his writing and his artwork The Work of Michelangelo • Similarly to Sodoma, Michelangelo often blurred the lines of gender in his work, such as can be seen in his sculpture, Drunken Bachus (tcenter) • As mentioned in the previous slide, Michelangelo often sent drawings to Tommaso de' Cavalieri. The two depicted here, Ganymede (bottom left) and The Punishment of Tityus (top left) are representations of prominent Greek myths that Michelangelo himself stated represented "fire that burned in him.” • Scholars also theorize they are meant to represent Michelanglo’s internal conflict between sacred love and carnal desire Claude Cahun (1894-1954) • Cahun was a French photographer, writer, and political activist • In their own autobiography, Cahun described their gender: “Shuffle the cards. Masculine? Feminine? It depends on the situation. Neuter is the only gender that always suits me.” The Work of Claude Cahun • Cahun is best known for their self portraits which defy, explore, and subvert ideas and expectations that surround gender and sexuality • Through their work Cahun gave space for nonbinary identities in a time of total invisibility and ignorance Gluck (1895-1978) • Gluck was a British painter, specializing in landscapes, still lifes, and portraits • Gluck was an out and proud homosexual during a time when male homosexuality was criminalized and female homosexuality wasn’t considered to exist • Gluck also defied the gender norms expected of her, presenting in masculine ways and insisting that "no prefix, suffix or quotes“ be used around the gender neutral name she chose for herself “Medallion (YouWe)” Gluck • Medallion is a double portrait of Gluck and her lover, Nesta Oberman • Gluck refered to the painting as their “marriage picture” during a time when gay marriage was illegal • She wrote to Nesta, regarding the painting, “Now it is out, and to the rest of the Universe I call Beware! Beware! We are not to be trifled with.” Dorian Electra (1992-Present) • Dorian Electra Fridkin Gomberg is an American singer, songwriter, video and performance artist • They are gender fluid and use they/them/pronouns. Their identity is ever present in the messages and visuals within all aspects of their work The Work of Dorian Electra • Despite predominantly being a performance artists, the visuals used in the production of their music videos puts them also in the role of visual artist • Their videos combine qualities of both masculine and feminine energies, as well as bright colors, elaborate costumes, and striking visual combinations Conclusions Although the formatting of certain art as specifically queer was and is debated, the identity of an artist often comes to play a role in their art and expression, even perhaps in subconscious ways. Queer identities have historically been repressed, erased, and ignored and for many art has been the safest means of expression. To erase any part of an artist’s identity is to erase an aspect of their art that is worthy of examination and interpretation, but to give space for the representation of identity is what allows for true expression and exploration of the self both individually and as a community. References • A (very) brief history of lgbtq art and symbolism. Retrieved from https://www.revelandriot.com/resources/lgbt-art-history/ • Burk, T.Queer art: 1960s to the present. Retrieved from http://arthistoryteachingresources.org/lessons/queer-art-1960s-to-thepresent/ • Dorian electra. Retrieved from https://dorianelectra.com/ • Editors of Encyclopedia Britanica. (2020). Il sodoma. Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/biography/Il-Sodoma • Freedman, L. (2003). Michelangelo's reflections on bacchus. Artibus Et Historiae, 24(47), 121-135. doi:10.2307/1483763 • Ingram, S. (2018). Queer art movement overview and analysis. Retrieved from https://www.theartstory.org/movement/queer-art/ • Michelangelo (buonarroti). (2011). In R. L. Fastiggi (Ed.), New catholic encyclopedia supplement 2011 (pp. 551-555). Detroit, MI: Gale. Retrieved from https://link-gale-com.unco.idm.oclc.org/apps/doc/CX1393000225/GVRL?u=uncol&sid=GVRL&xid=5535a782 • Michelangelo buonarroti 1475–1564 italian artist. (2004). In P. F. Grendler (Ed.), Renaissance: An encyclopedia for students (pp. 7376). New York, NY: Charles Scribner's Sons. Retrieved from https://link-galecom.unco.idm.oclc.org/apps/doc/CX3409200302/GVRL?u=uncol&sid=GVRL&xid=e6a03523 • Queer art history. Retrieved from https://www.queerarthistory.com/ • Saslow, J. (1988). "A veil of ice between my heart and the fire": Michelangelo's sexual identity and early modern constructs of homosexuality. Genders, , 77-90. doi:10.5555/gen.1988.2.77 • Saslow, J. M. (2007). Michelangelo 1475–1564. In F. Malti-Douglas (Ed.), Encyclopedia of sex and gender (pp. 1006-1008). Detroit, MI: Macmillan Reference USA. Retrieved from https://link-galecom.unco.idm.oclc.org/apps/doc/CX2896200423/GVRL?u=uncol&sid=GVRL&xid=2032f0b0 • Souhami, D. (2017). “Now it is out”: The 1930s painting that declared lesbian love. Retrieved from https://www.royalacademy.org.uk/article/magazine-gluck-brighton-museum-art-gallery-diana-souhami • Summers, C. (2004). The queer encyclopedia of the visual arts. San Francisco: Cleis Press. Retrieved from https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/[SITE_ID]/detail.action?docID=5507379 • Waxman, O. B. (2018). How the nazi regime's pink triangle symbol was repurposed for LGBTQ pride. Retrieved from https://time.com/5295476/gay-pride-pink-triangle-history/
