In recent news, at the annual amFAR Foundation for AIDS Research gala, newly “outed” Miley Cyrus auctioned off some of her original art work – three bedazzled issues of Vanity Fair’s Caitlyn Jenner cover. Regardless of what you think of the artwork, the outcome is commendable, with all the proceeds ($69,000 to be exact) going directly to HIV/AIDS cure research.
Artists have long caused controversy and acclaim with their sexuality and sexual politics, from Michelangelo to Keith Harring.
As June is national gay pride month, we wanted to take a moment to applaud the contemporary artists that have helped pave the way for gender and sexuality equality throughout the world.
Mickalene Thomas: New York-based artist known for her ornate paintings decorated with rhinestones, enamel and acrylic that is praised for it’s exploration of African American female sexuality.
Robert Mapplethorpe: American photographer known for his large black and white portraits of male nudes that explore homoeroticism and sadomasichstic BDSM in 1970’s-80’s New York. He also established The Robert Mappelthorpe Foundation which supports medical research in the area of AIDS and HIV.
Cy Twombly: New York based painter, sculptor and calligraphist, considered to be an influential member of the movement away from the masculine themes of abstract expressionism.
David Wojnarowicz: New York based painter, photographer and performance artist who’s work incorporated personal narratives about his struggle with AIDS as well as his political activism.
Touko Laaksonen aka Tom of Finland: Finnish artist renowned for his stylized homoerotic fetish art and his influence on late twentieth century gay culture.
Rotimi Fani-Kayode: Nigerian photographer whose stylized portraits addressed themes of sexuality and race, especially the tensions between his homosexual identity and Yoruba upbringing. He was also an active participant in the artistic discourse surrounding HIV and AIDS in the 1980s.
Félix González-Torres: Cuban-born American visual artist best known for his minimal installations and sculptures that were considered to be reflections of his experience with AIDS.
Vaginal Davis: American-born, Berlin-based performance and visual artist credited with the formation of the Queer-Core Zine Movement. In Davis’ performances, she portrays a range of characters that draw from her own relationships as well as fictional imaginations.
