In celebration of queer canvases
An exclusive look at five master works by LGBTQ+ artists in the Soho House collection
By Kate Bryan Above artwork by Hal Fischer Friday 26 June, 2020 Short read
To celebrate Pride, Kate Bryan, Head of Collections for Soho House, selects and details five key artworks in the collection that have been created by LGBTQ+ artists from around the world.
1. ‘Keys’ by Hal Fischer (above)
In 1977, the American artist Hal Fischer created a pioneering body of work entitled Gay Semiotics. Taken from his time living in San Francisco’s vibrant gay communities, the poker-faced photographic series uses overlaid text to humorously deconstruct the gay experience. ‘Decoding’ street fashion, sexual practices, signs and codes using language from instruction manuals, Fischer’s work created an irreverent kind of gay vernacular. The works borrow from both advertising and the structuralist theory, creating something entirely new that transcends parody and has become an important piece of gay visual history. This work, ‘Keys’, sits in the blue dining room of 40 Greek Street in London.
1. ‘Keys’ by Hal Fischer (above)
In 1977, the American artist Hal Fischer created a pioneering body of work entitled Gay Semiotics. Taken from his time living in San Francisco’s vibrant gay communities, the poker-faced photographic series uses overlaid text to humorously deconstruct the gay experience. ‘Decoding’ street fashion, sexual practices, signs and codes using language from instruction manuals, Fischer’s work created an irreverent kind of gay vernacular. The works borrow from both advertising and the structuralist theory, creating something entirely new that transcends parody and has become an important piece of gay visual history. This work, ‘Keys’, sits in the blue dining room of 40 Greek Street in London.
2. ‘Eve/Drawing/Videowork 1’ by Florence Peake (above)
Florence Peake is a London-based performance artist who uses drawing, painting and sculpture to underscore her practice. This painting on canvas paper is part of an ongoing collaboration with Eve Stainton, which explores the expressive potentialities of queer bodies through intimacy, touch and collective reclaiming. The performance took place at London’s Royal Academy of Arts and elevated the marginalised affection, sexuality, power and energies within non-normative relationships. The painting is on display at Dean Street Townhouse in London.
Florence Peake is a London-based performance artist who uses drawing, painting and sculpture to underscore her practice. This painting on canvas paper is part of an ongoing collaboration with Eve Stainton, which explores the expressive potentialities of queer bodies through intimacy, touch and collective reclaiming. The performance took place at London’s Royal Academy of Arts and elevated the marginalised affection, sexuality, power and energies within non-normative relationships. The painting is on display at Dean Street Townhouse in London.
