Two Historic Exhibits at Smithsonian Reynold's Center Focuses on Gay Art History

In connection with my ongoing interest in gay culture and heritage series, in recent weeks. I've made a point to check out threee exhibits that explore and/or focuses on gay art and history.

While, unfortunately, I missed Jeff Sheng's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" exhibit at HRC HQ during the 2010 FotoWeek DC Festival I was able to capture Matthew Black's "The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence: Identity Writ Large" at the Joan Hisaoka Healing Arts Gallery.

Remembering Metro Weekly's update a couple weeks ago pertaining to the Hide/Seek gay art at exhibit at the Smithsonian NPG and in connection with my Sundays At The Museums series stopped in at the Smithsonian Reynolds complex at 8th and F Streets in NW Washington DC this past Sunday.

Upon my arrival, I first checked out the Hide/Seek Family and Friends Day activities at the Kogod Courtyard. During which time I captured Ken Vegas of DC Kings and Diane Wakowski of Belladonna Romka in a dance performace. Follwed by a performace of the DC Swing orchestra band from the DC's Different Drummers group. Videos of these two diferent acts will be added later.

I then checked out the Hide/Seek exhibit on the 2nd floor of the National Portrait Gallery. Two artists whose work was on display I have more than a passing connection to. Not only were Mapplethorpe and I close friends but his image of me was featured as the March 1987 Saint Black party poster.

And having partied in the same circles at Studio 54 I actually own two of Warhol's works.

With photography restrictions in place, I have no images nor video of the Hide/Seek exhibit.

My 21 November 2010 Sunday at the Museum series came to a close with a visit to the "Lost and Found: The Lesbian and Gay Presence at the Archives of American Art" exhibit at the Lawrence A. Fleischman Gallery. As a poster, newspaper and magazine collector gay subject matter is of particular interest to me.

Click the above image to view my Lost and Found: The Lesbian and Gay Presence at the Archives of American Art photo album.

Both exhibits, Hide/Seek and Lost And Found, will be on display through 13 February 2011.