Of Myth and Mortals: The Erotic Sculpture of Philip Hitchcock

Featured in the Guest Artist Gallery

Of Chicago’s Leather Archives & Museum

 On view January 27, – June 9, 2012

Opening Reception Friday, January 27, 7:00 to 10:00 p.m.

Challenging. Alluring. Rock Hard.  The life-size male erotic figures of Philip Hitchcock merge fantasy and reality to create powerful sculptural forms, evoking themes of heroism and human frailty.  Focusing on ancient mythology from different cultures, Hitchcock creates contemporary representations of iconic deities whose grandeur is humanized by their corporeal sensuality.  The hyper-realistic forms, which are created from multiple castings of live models, are layered and embellished with accoutrements. The work is a  metaphor for the human condition one decade into the 21st century:  It presents a core of realism surrounded by the more unnerving images we wish the world to notice and judge.  Of this body of work Dr. William Whittington, Assistant Chair of Critical Studies at University of Southern California writes: “(Hitchcock’s) aesthetic presents idealized castings of the human figure, which are powerful enough alone, yet he retrofits these bodies, infusing them with technology, eroticism, and discourses on pain and pleasure. At the site of this fusion, the heroic figure transforms, activating new interpretations.” 

Nine of Hitchcock sculptures are on view at Chicago’s Leather Archives and Museum (LA&M) from January 27, through June 30, 2012.  Also on view are nine limited edition photographs of select works by Hitchcock, plates taken from his book, Dark Impressions, The Art of Philip Hitchcock. The artist is on hand to sign copies of his book at a free public reception at The LA &M on Friday, January 27, from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. The Leather Archives & Museum is located at 6418 North Greenview Ave. in Chicago, Illinois.  For additional information call 773-761-9200.

Of Myth and Mortal focuses on legendary myths borrowed from Greek, Celtic, Egyptian and Christian mythologies.  Among the statues on view are Cernunnos, the horned Celtic god of fertility, Anubis, the Egyptian god of the dead, Prometheus, the Greek god of fire, Thor the Norse god of thunder, The Black Knight from medieval lore, and Jesus, central figure of Christianity.  A selection of torsos, reminiscent of classical ruins, are also on view. The pieces created with concrete, steel, and fiberglass, start with multiple cast impressions from live models.

Of Myth and Mortal also showcases limited edition prints, signed by the artist, many of which are featured in his book Dark Impressions, The Art of Philip Hitchcock. The images are signed and numbered archival digital prints at 16 x 20” which are framed to 22 x 28.” 

The exhibition remains on view through June 9, 2012.  Here is a preview of the exhibition:

The exhibit features Nine lifesize sculptures and nine 22 x 28″ photographs, blow ups of plates from “Dark Impressions, The Art of Philip Hitchcock.

Sculptures and photographs line the passageway the circumscribes the main gallery. The areas are separated by a glass wall.

Prometheus- For bringing fire to mankind, Zeus chained Prometheus to a cliff wall, to be tormented each day by an Eagle.

Moving down the hallway…

Anubis, Egyptian God of the Dead.

Cernunnos, Celtic God of Fertility.

Around the corner are two more images from “Dark Impressions, the Art of Philip Hitchcock.”

Entering the main gallery…

Statues and prints are on view. Shown here are Male torso, Kouros 2012, and Seated Male.

Hallway view as seen from the main gallery.

View of hallway from main gallery.

Seated Male, a statue which is actually a composite of three different models.

Detail- Seated Male.

On the opposite wall are two more statues.

Jesus and Thor are featured.

Close up- Jesus, from Christian lore.

Close up- Thor, Nordic god of Thunder

Close up-Male Torso. Of MYTH and MORTALS remains on view through June 9, 2012.

It was an honor to have in attendance, the man himself, Mr. Chuck Renslow. (I think he’s a fan of the work!)

If you missed “TOM of FINLAND: Original Drawings” at PHD Gallery, (or you just want to see it again!) Take the 3 minute Video Tour!  The tour was produced by New Standard Creative Agency.  (Visit their web site here.)

Special Guest of the gallery was The St. Louis LGBT History Project whose members presented a selection of LGBT memorabilia from their archives.

There has been strong support from the media with items appearing in St. Louis Magazine, VITAL VOICE, Riverfront Times, SAUCE Magazine, ALIVE Magazine, and The St. Louis POST DISPATCH.

28 original graphite on paper drawings are on view at PHD Gallery until Sunday, August 7, 2011. At that time, the exhibit closes with a champagne reception from 1-3PM. The reception is free and open to the public.  Special Guest of the gallery is The St. Louis LGBT History Project whose members will present a selection of LGBT memorabilia from their archives. To commemorate the historic exhibition of TOM of FINLAND drawings, St. Louis LGBT History Project Founder Steven Brawley will present an Award of Recognition to PHD Gallery owner Philip Hitchcock for his efforts in bringing this landmark body of work to the St. Louis LGBT community. Champagne and hors d’oeuvres will be served.

Thank you to Neil Koplitz for ponying up the fine ride…!

A quiet moment shared with the lovey Trixie La Rue (Miss Gay St. Louis)

Posing with everyone’s favorite Bad Dog Bartender, Kevin Lurten

Based on the combined scores, twenty men move onto the actual Sunday night contest.  The contest consists of another jockstrap appearances and delivery of a 90 second speech by each contestant.  Speeches are on a topic of the contestant’s choosing.

I’m delighted to report that not only was I in the top 20 contestants, I had an overall ranking of 15th.  Not too shabby!  Below are pictures from the various events throughout the weekend including the Thursday night introduction of each contestant and flag parade, Saturday night’s “Pecs & Personality,” and the Sunday night contest at Chicago’s Harris Theatre, where finalists made speeches and gave the audience a peek at their other assets.  There is also a nice piece in the St. Louis Vital Voice.  Also uploaded here is the audio recording of my speech about the role of erotic art in the leather community.

This shot is from our first introduction.  Each contestant had a slide flash on screen showing his name title and sponsors.

Next there was a flag parade.  Americans walked with their state flags and those from other countries carried flags from their countries.  It was really a beautiful presentation.

Here I am delivering my speech.  The audio portion is here, too.

And here you see me (a lot of me) during the jock parade on Sunday.  Like I said, it was an amazing experience!

Probably the best part of the event was all the wonderful people I met and connecting with friends… both old and new.  Following are pictures from throughout the weekend.

A huge thank you to Kevin Baddog Lurten and Blue Max who turned out in full force along with the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. Also my thanks goes to Jade Sinclair, Rob Sargent, Adria Andrews and Cowboy Gene who donated 100% of their tips, and Bad Dog Bar and Grill for hosting the event and to Tyger Roth for the great spread of food… especially the inspired sloppy joes!. Thanks also to Scott Lokitz for taking pictures of us all, Larry for the killer jello shots, Brent for selling raffle tickets, and everyone who turned out including Philip Deitch, Bruce Kraemer, Don Smith, Steve Zeiger and Charlie Schoenherr.

And the biggest thank you of all goes to STEVE HARRIS for his tireless efforts in putting the whole damn thing together. We raised nearly $800. bucks and I’m feeling pretty fortunate right now to have such a supportive community behind me.

I can’t wait until next year!  Following are a few pictures from what was an incredible weekend!

Tom’s images of idealized masculinity are iconic but few people have seen anything other than reproductions proliferated on line.  The PHD exhibition will showcase 12 “finished” graphite on paper drawings (designated NFS) and 15 “preliminary drawings” that will be offered for sale.  Works culled from throughout his career will be on view.

If gay men have historically been portrayed as weak, pathetic, and sad individuals, then TOM’s drawings blew this stereotype out of the water!  His men were proud, happy and dignified.  They were powerful and unapologetic and gay men saw these hyper-masculine images as heroes.  Indeed, if you glance through comic books you’ll see the depiction of most Super Heroes is not unlike the men in TOM’s drawings: