Portraiture

In late November, a month after the show "Hide/Seek: Difference and Desire in American Portraiture," opened, the Smithsonian received numerous complaints that the video, which had an image of ants crawling over a crucifix, was offensive.

Protesters Plan to Stage "Museum of Censored Art" Jacqueline Trescott 2011

The National Portrait Gallery at the Smithsonian Institution even opened an exhibition, entitled "Hide/Seek: Difference and Desire in American Portraiture," focusing heavily on homoerotic expression.

Merrill Cole: WikiLeaks and David Wojnarowicz: A Perspective from Berlin Merrill Cole 2011

The National Portrait Gallery at the Smithsonian Institution even opened an exhibition, entitled "Hide/Seek: Difference and Desire in American Portraiture," focusing heavily on homoerotic expression.

Merrill Cole: WikiLeaks and David Wojnarowicz: A Perspective from Berlin Merrill Cole 2011

Nearly two years ago, I was asked to lend an artwork entitled Self-Portrait by artist Jack Pierson to the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, DC part of the the Smithsonian family of institutions for "Hide/Seek: Difference and Desire in American Portraiture," a show described as focused on gay identity, portraiture and bringing a face to the contributions of gay artists for the past century.

Jim Hedges: Smithsonian Stands Firm on Censorship, Congressional Checkbook Trumps Constitution Jim Hedges 2011

In a letter to the Regents, PEN said it strongly disagreed with the decision last month to remove David Wojnarowicz's 1987 video "Fire In My Belly," from "Hide/Seek: Difference and Desire in American Portraiture," now at the National Portrait Gallery.

PEN requests Smithsonian to consider broader implications of video removal Jacqueline Trescott 2011

Nearly two years ago, I was asked to lend an artwork entitled Self-Portrait by artist Jack Pierson to the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, DC part of the the Smithsonian family of institutions for "Hide/Seek: Difference and Desire in American Portraiture," a show described as focused on gay identity, portraiture and bringing a face to the contributions of gay artists for the past century.

Jim Hedges: Smithsonian Stands Firm on Censorship, Congressional Checkbook Trumps Constitution Jim Hedges 2011

The issues raised by his decision to remove a controversial video from the "Hide/Seek: Difference and Desire in American Portraiture" exhibit will be fully explored in a public forum in April, Smithsonian Secretary G.

Clough pledges to continue "Hide/Seek" conversation Jacqueline Trescott 2011

Oct. 30: "Hide/Seek: Difference and Desire in American Portraiture" Portraits from the late 19th century through today illustrate the changing social attitudes toward sexual difference.

A sampling from area museum exhibits Post 2010

The National Portrait Gallery at the Smithsonian Institution even opened an exhibition, entitled "Hide/Seek: Difference and Desire in American Portraiture," focusing heavily on homoerotic expression.

Merrill Cole: WikiLeaks and David Wojnarowicz: A Perspective from Berlin Merrill Cole 2011

The National Portrait Gallery at the Smithsonian Institution even opened an exhibition, entitled "Hide/Seek: Difference and Desire in American Portraiture," focusing heavily on homoerotic expression.

Merrill Cole: WikiLeaks and David Wojnarowicz: A Perspective from Berlin Merrill Cole 2011