Modern Gay Art - Studies in masculinity

Male Art by Joe Hendry

This image by Joe Hendry would go straight into my 'bareass blogs' if it were a photo.

The cheeky exposure below everyday clothing is exactly what I wanted to showcase in that series.

As an artwork it's not exactly living room wall material, given the hint of rude functions in progress.

Actually it's more than a hint if you consider the shadow shapes and choice of colours.

Having said that, it is an appealing palette and the composition is both striking and nicely balanced.

 Joe Hendry website

Deyneka - soldiers showering

 This image by Deyneka is equally daring but in a different way.

The nude study in the foreground is quite academic, but more sensual than most of that ilk.

It's what the dreamer is looking at, that gives it edge - a row of young, army conscripts showering.

So what? you might say, but this artist is from Russia.

With this picture he is proclaiming an unwelcome message to that country's rulers,

 that gay attaction exists and that gay men are manly.

At the same time he tellingly portrays the sense of exclusion and isolation.

You sense he has been been brooding head down until the laughing boys caught his attention.

It's something we all experience to some extent, but less than those under oppressive regimes.

Another Russian Artist is featured in The Art of Ivan Bubentkov 

Support them by viewing their work, see what they have to say. 

 Joseph Radoccia - Nude

We don't know this man's sexual orientation but we can see he's full of attitude and a maybe little unsure of himself. I think anyone asked to pose naked with a bowl of fruit is entitled to feel a bit nervous, but the colours the artist has surrounded him by make him look terrific. Although this is an explicit nude it's pretty inoffensive, that aspect of the picture is overwhelmed by the sheer character of the burly sitter which booms out of the picture and I have no doubt will win many fans amongst my audience.

  

Joe Radoccia's website

 

Julie Bell - Serpent

The sense of manly power is strongest of all in this image and the chains and entwined serpent add a powerful fetish flavour. It's surprising to see a woman artist subscribing to the heavy muscle school of masculinity so enthusiastically, even if she is a fantasy specialist. The glimpse of face is a more feminine perception but it sits uneasily atop that maxed-up body.

 The colours and photo-realism are equally exaggerated. 

I like the look of big men but this the least appealing image of this group for me