spotlight: Through the Gloryhole
“spotlight” is dandy’s article series featuring interviews with organizers planning upcoming queer art events.
Through the Gloryhole is DOABLE GUYS’ first public in-person art exhibition. It runs May 7th-9th, 2021 in New York City [NEW VENUE: 208 Bowery, NoLita] and then continues May 10th-16th for one week online at DOABLEGUYS.com. Additional details available on our events page, or at the end of this article.
(dandy:) So fill us in on what your new show is all about.
(Kyle Anderson, co-organizer and exhibiting artist:) Through the Glory Hole is our first-ever in-person homoerotic gallery exhibition. We are bringing together artwork depicting the male form, ranging from the explicit, to the tender, to the conversational- all showcasing unique perspectives of art and beauty. There will be a diverse mix of styles and mediums from an international group of amazing artists, filling the walls with their interpretations of the most “doable” guys.
So DOABLE GUYS, is the artist group putting this on right? Can you tell us more about that?
DOABLE GUYS is a homoerotic art collective showcasing and promoting different styles of art from around the world. We are here to celebrate the beauty of the male form, the love between men, and the Queer community as a whole. That includes all queer artists, no matter their gender, sexual orientation or skill level.
Right now we are mostly focused on the exhibition, but we do host a weekly virtual figure drawing session via zoom, and we will hopefully be starting some in-person sessions here in New York City again before too long as well. We also publish a yearly anthology of homoerotic art, and we are currently seeking submissions for Volume Six, which will be released this summer. [SUBMISSION DETAILS]
Work by interviewee and exhibiting artist Kyle Anderson from a DOABLE GUYS drawing session.
What drew you to becoming a queer arts organizer?
Doable Guys was started with my friend Lena. As artists who were interested in creating more unconventional homoerotic work, we felt like we couldn't find a space or platform where we were really welcomed. We decided to try and put together a small, inclusive anthology where everyone could feel free to submit whatever they wanted, featuring depictions of any kind of men they found attractive, not just whatever they thought would get the most likes.
After the success of that first volume, we decided to grow a little further, starting with our figure drawing sessions. We are really trying to develop a queer art community where everyone is welcome. It has been such a pleasure getting to meet and interact with so many incredibly talented artists that are genuinely excited about queer erotic artwork.
And you are, of course, an artist as well...
I am! Animator by day, homoerotic watercolor artist by night.
Work by exhibiting artist James Falciano from a DOABLE GUYS drawing session.
So, how did you select the artists for Through the Gloryhole?
Well for this one, we were actually able to accept at least 1 piece from every artist that applied. And honestly, every single one of them deserves to be there. There is so much incredible talent that is going to be up on those walls.
Does the work in the show have a general theme?
The show is sort of broken into three sections. First, we have past work that has been featured in our five years of anthologies. Second, we have a huge collection of work that was created in or inspired by our figure drawing sessions. And finally, a space for all other artwork, still fitting with the Doable Guys theme of "What makes a guy 'doable' to you?"
How many artists are in this show? how many total pieces of work?
We have 42 artists in the show, and I believe somewhere around 140 pieces of work in total.
Is the work for sale?
It most certainly is! We did an online art fair last summer and we actually sold quite a bit, so I'm hoping that this show will see the same kind of excitement! Everything not sold at the in-person event will be able to be purchased online as well.
What are the main demographic of people you think will be buying work from the show?
One goal of ours is to make art accessible on all fronts, whether it be creating it, or collecting it. This show definitely has a wide range of work, and I think there is truly something for everyone -well, everyone looking to own some artwork of naked men, that is.
Work by exhibiting artist Colton Ackerman from a DOABLE GUYS drawing session.
Thanks so much! I am really looking forward to it, and so glad you are showing everything online, too! Is there anything else you think is important for us to know?
I'm pretty sure that covers most everything about us as an organization, but one thing I will add about the show- we take the health of our artists and guests very seriously and ask that anyone visiting please keep their masks on at all times in the gallery space and try to maintain social distancing. The entire show will be available to view online starting Monday, May 10, so as much as we want to see everybody's (masked) faces there, if you are feeling at all sick, or just not comfortable with in-person events yet, you will still get the chance to see it all online.
Where can we find more info?
Find out more about Through the Gloryhole or our weekly drawing sessions at DOABLEGUYS.com and please also follow DOABLE GUYS on Facebook and Instagram.
Keep an eye out for a future feature of artist Kyle Anderson, here on dandy.
All images appear courtesy of DOABLE GUYS. Specific art shown has been selected to demonstrate style of exhibiting artists, and may not appear in Through the Gloryhole.
