David Kawena: The Sexuality of the Asexual Disney Heroes

[reviews_and_ramblings]

I found this artist on DevianArt thank to madam_minnie. David Kawena had a very original idea: to use as models for his art the characters of Disney movies.

In a series of portraits he reinvented (or discovered), with a bit more of realism than the original characters, the hidden sensuality of those heroes who steal hearts of the princesses in fairy tales.

 
Peter Pan

 
Hercules

 
Prince Naveen

 
Narnian Kings

 
Prince Edward

 
Tarzan

 
Will Turner

 
John Henry

 
Sitka

 
Milo J. Thatch

 
John Smith

 
Prince Phillip

David Kawena is a from Israel and he was asked what it means to be a gay artist there:

"Actually being (a) gay artist, or straight artists who deals with ‘gay’ issues is pretty much a cool thing to be in Israel! Israel is very open minded and very narrow minded too - it's (a) mix of a place. We have a lot openly gay artists here, most of them are on prime time television - actors, fashion designers - and many singers who are openly gay are at the top of the national charts all the time. I do most of my work outside of Israel, but that's a different subject. I could very well be categorized as a straight artist who dose gay
work, or vise versa... You know?!”

Kawena’s work is primarily digital media.

http://davidkawena.deviantart.com/

More Artists at my website: http://www.elisarolle.com/, My Ramblings/Art

Comments

[chaosmyth.livejournal.com]

I admit I love this version of the characters much better than the original one ;P

[girlofavalon.livejournal.com]

I must confess that I don't know most of these, because I am not much of a Disney fan, and I don't like Will Turner (Jack and Norrington are way better as characters), but wow... I love his version of Peter Pan and Tarzan *-*

[madam-minnie.livejournal.com]

SQUEE!!! OMG I love his work so much that every time his name pops up in anything, I rush to see what else he's done. :D His version of the Disney characters is my fave by far! I love that he mixes a bit of what the character's personality along with elements of the gay lifestyle that are subtle. Prince Eric's leather armband, for example. *melts* I will fangirl him forever! :D

[shadownyc.livejournal.com]

These are beautiful! You can "feel" the texture with your mind's eye.

[charliecochrane.livejournal.com]

Hercules is totally this guy. *nods*

http://www.rbs6nations.com/en/france/1434.php?player=71113&includeref=dynamic

[alex-beecroft.livejournal.com]

Count me in on the "I like them better than the originals" group, though there are lots I don't recognize. John Smith is er...wow. :)

[marame.livejournal.com]

Holy hell these are GOOD! Thanks, as always Elisa, for sharing your bounty with us! 8-)

[tizi17.livejournal.com]

what a lovely idea.. if i as a princess (or prince?)had to pick.. mmmhhh.. ;-)