Monday, June 22, 2015

Book Preview: Stroke - From Under the Mattress to Out in the Open

In July, publishing house Bruno Gmünder is releasing Stroke, a really fascinating compilation of gay illustrations used in magazines from the 1950s to the 1990s. Some erotic, some inflammatory, all images give us perspective on how the portrayal of homosexuals has evolved throughout the course of history.

Here's the official description:
A historical retrospective on erotic magazine illustrations from the 1950s to 1990s. Although the magazines in the US were freely accessible, the reader often kept them hidden under their beds. 
Stroke revives these historical treasures along with the stories of the illustrators and other unknown artists drawings. Stroke has been compiled by the Director of the Leslie-Lohman Museum, Hunter O'Hanian, and legendary artist Robert W. Richards. The book presents the works of over thirty artists, including famous names like Tom of Finland, Harry Bush, Michael Kirwan and George Quaintance.
Robert W. Richards began his career as an illustrator for the fashion world. He has worked for fashion giants Yves St. Laurent, Valentino and Gaultier. He has rendered portraits for Hollywood stars like Cher and Tony Curtis and contributed to many gay magazines.

Hunter O’Hanian is the director of Leslie-Lohman Museum of Gay and Lesbian art. Previously Hunter served as vice president of institutional advancement and executive director at the Massachusetts College of Art and Design.

In July, you can get a copy of Stroke - From Under the Mattress to Out in the Open from Bruno Gmünder. Or, here in the US, it might be easier to get a copy from Amazon. Either way, you can't go wrong. Stroke is a wonderful look into the past.









© Boyway, courtesy of the artist / Bruno Gmünder GmbH
© Michael Breyette, courtesy of the artist / Bruno Gmünder GmbH
© Harry Bush, courtesy of Robert Mainardi / Bruno Gmünder GmbH
© Rob Clarke, courtesy of the artist / Bruno Gmünder GmbH
© Colt (Jim French), courtesy of the artist, collection of Leonard Paoletti / Bruno Gmünder GmbH
© Kent Neffendorf, courtesy of the artist / Bruno Gmünder GmbH
© David Martin, collection of Leslie-Lohman Museum of Gay and Lesbian Art / Bruno Gmünder GmbH
© Mel Odom, courtesy of the artist / Bruno Gmünder GmbH
© Benoit Prevoit, courtesy of the artist / Bruno Gmünder GmbH
© Robert W. Richards, courtesy of the artist / Bruno Gmünder GmbH
© Richard Rosenfeld, courtesy of the artist / Bruno Gmünder GmbH
© Oliver Frey, courtesy of the artist / Bruno Gmünder GmbH

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