The latest exhibit being put together in the art gallery in Central Connecticut State University’s Maloney Hall is groundbreaking in more ways than one.
“This is the first time we’ve had a real Andy Warhol at CCSU, a real Mapplethorpe at CCSU, and there’s some pictures on display that have never been seen in Connecticut before,” said Robert Diamond, the exhibit’s curator.
The exhibit is called “Revealed: The Tradition of Male Homoerotic Art,” and according to Diamond it’s also one of the first exhibits to focus exclusively on male homoerotic art rather than cover the entirety of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender spectrum.
The exhibit covers 110 years’ worth of original artwork, and also includes reproductions of older pieces by Michelangelo (“The Rape of Ganymede”) and John Singer Sargent (a few male nude drawings).
The majority of images show the nude male body, some in classical poses and others more explicit. However, artworks such as Michelangelo’s “David” show handsome nude men, yet are generally not considered erotic or homoerotic. Diamond said the poses shown in the pieces make the difference between simple nudity and eroticism.
The exhibit will be on display at CCSU through April 22; afterward it’s scheduled to go to a gallery in New York.
It will be closed except by appointment the week of March 22 to 26 for spring break. Regular gallery hours are Monday through Friday, 1 to 4 p.m. and by appointment. Admission is free.
The opening reception will be Thursday from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m., with a lecture at 3 p.m.
From an article written by Jennifer Abel at The Bristol Press. More information here from CCSU.
