another eye opens

My ex-boyfriend Harvey Redding opened an exhibition of his most recent work Friday night at the Prince Street Project Space (formerly the headquarters of the Leslie-Lohman Museum of Gay and Lesbian Art). Arty guys and gals filled the gallery space sipping wine and viewing the show, which is called “What is it that makes my artwork so gay?” Much of the work mashed up homoerotic photos and drawings with building plans borrowed from Popular Mechanics. The titles of the pieces came primarily from two poetic sources near and dear to the hearts of gay men (well, a certain tribe of gay men): Walt Whitman and Motown lyricist Eddie Holland (of the songwriting team Holland-Dozier-Holland, who produced dozens of hits for the Supremes, the Four Tops, Martha and the Vandellas, and others). It was great to see Harvey, his artwork, and the community that has grown around the erotic life drawing classes he has conducted for almost 20 years, including friends like the high-powered illustrator and dandy Robert W. Richards (below).