reviews_and_ramblings | More Cheesecake Boys by Paul Richmond

I already posted in the past about the coming soon exhibition by Paul Richmond in Chicago, all devoted to his funny and colorful Cheesecake Boys (http://elisa-rolle.livejournal.com/931799.html). Not only I'm a fan of Paul's work, but I was even more happy to read about this new adventure when I found among the name of the gaylebrities he will feature, some friends like Jack Mackenroth, Jesse Archer and Michael Breyette. If you want to read what all of them liked to share with me about this experience, click on the link above. But today I'm posting again, first to tell you that Paul is very busy and he has already finished some awesome paintings, but also since Jack and Paul decided to give me a little exclusive, the reference picture Jack did for his painting. So thank you Jack, and I will let Paul tell you something more about the exhibition.

Jack Mackenroth

Artist Statement: My Cheesecake paintings put a long overdue twist on classic pin-up art. I'm interested in challenging traditional gender roles that have been reinforced by artistic expressions of sexuality in the past. It intrigues me that it was almost exclusively women who were depicted as hapless victims of skin-baring circumstance, such as the pin-up girls by Gil Elvgrin and Art Frahm. Those ladies couldn´t even walk down the street without their skirts blowing up or their underwear falling down (or both!). Meanwhile, male pin-ups by artists like Tom of Finland were generally afforded more control over their sexy shenanigans. I believe gravity and other forces conspiring to rob people of their clothing should take an equal-opportunity approach. Therefore, the models for my Cheesecake exhibit are all men; in this case, gay male celebrities from various artistic arenas of pop culture including actor Jesse Archer, photographer Mike Ruiz, musician Ari Gold, and blogger Perez Hilton. Each figure is shown in the midst of a revealing and "accidental" wardrobe malfunction, struggling to gather his aplomb and his pants without ever losing his cool.

In Hot Pursuit, Starring Jesse Archer

Exhibition Info: The opening reception for CHEESECAKE is Friday, June 11 from 6:30-9:30 pm at the Center on Halsted (www.centeronhalsted.org). The address is 3656 N Halsted, Chicago IL 60613. The show runs from June 4 - July 7. COH is open every day of the week from 8 am - 10 pm. Here's a link to the Facebook invitation for those who would like to rsvp (or help spread the word):

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=278313111107&ref=mf

Blast from the Past, Starring Darryl Stephens

Prints of all the Cheesecake Boys are available in my online store:

http://www.paulypants.etsy.com

You can also follow the progress on my blog:

http://www.paulrichmondstudio.blogspot.com