Japanese Gay Art

Just before heading off to Japan I gave a presentation at the queer bookstore Hares & Hyenas in Melbourne where I had been exhibiting some art. A monthly book club is held there, and this month they asked me to talk about queer art in Japan as well as the artists on display. I talked about a variety of topics, including; how homosexuality was considered in Japan prior to Western influence, publications which influenced gay culture in modern Japan such as Barazoku and G-Men, other publications such as Gengoroh Tagames ‘Erotic Japanese Art’, artists such as Okutsu Naomichi and Jiraiya, as well as Dojinshi (independent publishing groups).

Big thanks to Alex from Hares & Hyenas for organising, and to Rowland and Crusader for their support of my show. Also for everyone who turned up to hear me and see the works on display. The works are taken down now but I’m hoping to have a full exhibition there for Melbourne’s Midsumma festival next February.