Welcome to the digital art galleries page for James M Behan supporting positive gay visibility. Please click on an image below to enter a gallery. Enjoy!
As gay communities began to develop thru the 1970’s and 80’s, a Sunday afternoon tradition emerged of the Tea Dance, with gay and bisexual men meeting and dancing together to songs such as “It’s Raining Men” by the Weather Girls. The Tea Dance was a light, casual, fun time with friends and new acquaintances. As being gay was illegal in many states thru 2003, the Tea Dance was just one tradition of inclusion that stitched together a community where many would have none. The digital pictorial collages featured with this series mirrors the gay community’s method of positive image making as they were nonexistent in the dominant culture. Homemade collages from magazines featuring the male physique were often installed in gay bars to communicate the nature of being gay as something to cherish and embrace. The purpose of this series is to celebrate this folk art expression of queer identity and the traditions that were a large part of gay life in the late 20th and early 21st centuries.
This series focuses on the Fairy Lilly, a flower symbolizing new beginnings. The term “fairy” was often used pejoratively against gay men to suggest weakness or superficiality. In fact the strength and depth of emotion needed to live authentically in a hostile culture is the hallmark of LGBTQI+ persons. This work celebrates those who shine in the light and live their truth.
The digital pictorial collages featured with this series mirrors one method of the gay community’s method of positive image making during that latter half of the 20th century. Homemade collages from magazines featuring the male physique were created to communicate the nature of being gay as something to cherish and embrace. These collages were often placed in queer safe spaces.The purpose of my digital work is to celebrate this folk art expression of queer identity and the traditions that were a large part of gay life in the late 20th and early 21st centuries.
