Melrose - Even though a black curtain blocked off the project space at Longwood Art Gallery, Eye Am a Man remained open to the general public.  One may look inside and just see "gay art."  But, what's quite clear in the show is that the work not only transcends that view, but it is also created from struggle, emotion and pride.

Artwork depicting these ideas was demonstrated through comic book art, painting, illustration, photography, sculpture and installation.  The range of styles allowed a broad range of viewers to engage in a diversified conversation involving politics, romance, war and teen angst.  Three of the artists showing interesting work were Harry Medina, Ivan Velez, Jr. and Joseph Radoccia.

Harry Medina created small superhero-like figures using sculpey and acrylic over toys.  These modified figures of muscle bound men are touting their hulk-like strengths in aggressive positions, some of which are painted green.  Although they are displayed in a case such as those used in a comic book shop, the congregation of similarly fashioned characters creates a community-like setting.  CLICK HERE for an Interview with Harry Medina.

Ivan Velez, Jr. who’s EYE AM A MAN project is dispersed throughout the space greets visitors at the reveal of the black curtain with an illustrated figure upon the wall.  The young man who’s donning a cape is covering his genitals and has homophobic slurs written on several parts of his body in red including the word “PATO”—a derogatory Spanish slang word for homosexual.  He also had comic book panels from his story Tales of the Closet #5 which depict a young man in conflict with accepting his gay life.

And, then there is Twilight of Sisyphus and A Personal Matter, works by Joseph Radoccia which seem to be inspired by 15th century Asian watercolor portraits.  In Twilight of Sisyphus, a winter scene features a nude young male holding tight onto bare trees as if he were to let go, he'd slip and fall off the snow covered cliff.  A Personal Matter, in contrast, features a nude young male bound to a small fruit-bearing tree with rope while his left foot is caught in a mouse trap.  Both seem to be stating the figures in the paintings are damned by their own realities.

Other notable works were Gachi muchi guys by Chad Boss, Garden of Earthly Delights by La Buruquena and JeanSegarra-Rosa’s oil painting I Am Not A Lesbian.