Strength and community support through creation

In celebration of Pride festivities, Bunker Hill Community College’s gallery hosts a group exhibition of twenty-plus Boston-area GLBT artists whose work in various media “explores the gay liberation movement, politics and identity,” explains curator Laura Montgomery.

That’s So Gay includes over 75 works in photography, printmaking, artist’s books, paintings, installation, assemblage collage, silk-screens and drawing, according to Montgomery. “Some works address the issues of equal marriage and LGBT rights. Others pay homage to couples, the male figure and the dignity found in being one’s self—proud and out.”

This is artist Daniel Embree’s first time officially participating in Boston’s Pride. His monotype prints embody his long-time struggle between his Mormon upbringing and his true identity as a homosexual man.

“This newer, freer work has been more about healing and processing than transforming,” Embree shares.

“When I’m making these suit images, showing the anguish I experienced when fighting my sexuality—I am always amazed when the image turns out beautifully. Because the emotions behind my work may be raw and ugly, I expect the art to look similar. Instead I see a lot of beauty.”

When young, Embree was taught that homosexuality was wrong and should be changed.

“I underwent so-called reparative therapy to try to become straight,” he says. “In my work, I use the suit as a symbol of this inner turmoil. It is the suit I wore when I was a missionary.”

Jess Dugan’s large-scale portraits focus on the transgender and gender variant community, challenging deeply embedded gender norms. “Each person I photograph has his/her own specific identity.  There is a very large range of gender identities and expressions within our community, and my goal is to honestly represent each person and their story.  As my work has expanded, it’s become more and more difficult defining boundaries of inclusion.  Some subjects are women perceived as butch or masculine, who don’t self-identify as transgender but whose identities challenge traditional gender stereotypes and expectations.  It’s the blurring of boundaries and the ambiguity of each person’s specific identity that makes the most honest statements.”

Dugan prefers the more involved process of working large-format, as it “is very slow and deliberate. I want the viewer to recognize a part of themselves in my photographs, regardless of identity or background.

I hope to inspire a feeling that we are all part of something larger.”

Bobby Busnach’s work “revives the post-Stonewall riots heady times, disco glamour and his personal journey during the late seventies and early ‘80s,” Montgomery says. His photo collage “Becoming Marilyn” shows himself at varied progressive stages dressing as Marilyn Monroe. Alternatively, his silkscreen prints conjure political imagery and powerful text as seen in “Act Up” and “Gay Liberation Army.”

Additional artists featured in the exhibition include Sparky Alexander, Larry Bowling, Caleb Cole, Shelby Condray, Russell duPont, Anh Ðào Kolbe, Loki LaChapelle, Emily Lombardo, Peter Madden, David Mynott, Steven Muller, Hunter Pavay, Robert Siegelman, Thomas Stocker, Bud Turner, Lex Thomas, Zoe Perry-Wood along with a sampling of work from Pink and Black Art, a volunteer organization providing advocacy for GLBT prisoners. Monies raised through their art sales educate the public about GLBT prisoner issues, helping them survive on the inside.

THAT’S SO GAY

MONDAY 6.6.22-FRIDAY 8.5.11
BUNKER HILL COMMUNITY COLLEGE ART GALLERY
250 NEW RUTHERFORD AVE.
BOSTON
617.228.2093
BHCC.MASS.EDU