Wednesday, July 08, 2009
Gay Icons Exhibit Opens and London's National Portrait Gallery
Wednesday, July 8: London’s National Portrait Gallery has just unveiled an exhibit that explores gay social and cultural history through the eyes of ten high-profile gay figures (including Elton John and Billie Jean King), each of whom has selected their most influential historical and modern icons to appear in the collection. The selected “Gay Icons,” may or may not be gay themselves, but they have all influenced the sensibilities of their homo selectors and played an important role in shaping who they are today. The icons include artist David Hockney, writer Quentin Crisp, composer Pyotr Tchaikovsky, musician k.d. Lang (see above portrait from the exhibit), comedian Ellen DeGeneres, and tennis legend Martina Navratilova. More than 60 portraits, including works by the likes of Andy Warhol and Cecil Beaton, appear alongside specially commissioned portraits of the selectors by Mary McCartney. “Gay Icons” runs through October 18 at The National Portrait Gallery. Head here for more information. -- Joseph Hassan
