FXLK PLAY: Artists-in-Mischief + More
Art From The Tom Of Finland Foundation's AiR Program
Last week, a friend texted to invite me to an art exhibit in West Hollywood.
“Wanna go to this show?” she asked.
“Sure. Why not?” I replied.
I didn’t know what the exhibit was about. I hadn’t read a press release. I hadn’t looked up the artists. But I also hadn’t seen my friend in almost a year, and my calendar was wide open. Sometimes that is all the information I need.
So yesterday, I went. I saw. I thought. And I enjoyed.
The show was FXLK PLAY: Artists in Mischief, Devotion, and Mythmaking, featuring work from the Tom of Finland Foundation’s Artist-in-Residence program. If you are familiar with the foundation, you already know it celebrates erotic art, queer culture, and creative freedom in all its bold, unapologetic forms.
Walking through the exhibit felt a little like wandering into a playground built by artists who were free to misbehave.
Some pieces were funny.
Some were provocative.
Some were intricate and ironic.
Some made me tilt my head and mutter “What the fuck?” under my breath.
And that is the beauty of art.
I don’t have to love every piece to appreciate the work that went into it. I can respect the craft and creativity without wanting the piece hanging in my living room.
But plenty of the works did grab me.
There were pieces that made me laugh out loud. Others made me lean closer to catch small details the artist had hidden in plain sight. A few had that rare quality that made me stop and simply stare for a few minutes. Those are the pieces that stick with me.
Another thing I enjoyed about the show was the range of approaches. Different materials and mediums explored the broad themes of body, desire, identity, sex, and sexuality.
The result was a motley mix of the creative, the personal, and/or the mischievous. Exactly what I would hope for from a show with the word “play” in its title.
Of course, I did what most people do at exhibits these days. I pulled out my phone and snapped a couple of photos of three pieces that really caught my eye. Not as a substitute for seeing the work in person, but as mementos of the exhibit.
If you’re near West Hollywood, I urge you to drop by and see FXLK PLAY before it closes on March 19th.
FXLK PLAY: Artists-in-Mischief, Devotion, and Mythmaking
19th February–19th March
Thursdays through Sundays, Noon–5p
Long Hall | Plummer Park
West Hollywood
While a small-ish exhibit—of just over 60 works—FXLK PLAY packs a punch.
Keep calm and get your (erotic) art on!
Clint 🌈✌️
P.S. If you’re able to attend, I’d love to know your favorite parts!
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Oooh matron. I probably would have enjoyed the exhibition too... but too far for me 😏 With art I like what I like when I see it. Cheers DougT🏴 🇬🇧
What's the process for sending you a photo??