NEWSPAPER collects the work of 21 living queer artists and anonymous photographers. Our first issue is a cross-generational interaction between older and younger artists focusing on a particular queer sensibility. Over its 48 pages of large-scale black and white images, there are students, established artists, found vernacular, and amateurs. The publication is intended to function as an alternative exhibition space in print with shows promoting a certain reformation of queer imagery.
In researching the original, NEWSPAPER has been inspired to make a call for the return of the transgression of our earlier queer forefathers — an intellectual awareness, openness and love deeply informed by countercultural thinking. As particular gay images of beauty and body have emerged in mainstream visual culture and media, damage has been done. Over time they have established themselves in most gay and lesbian media. This will be a space for artists that loudly or quietly promote an investigation or redefinition of these images.
Statement from the publisher.
1. I found Steve Lawrence’s original NEWSPAPER on my birthday July 2015 when I was working for Danny Fields, widely known as ‘the godfather of punk’. I fell in love with the format and history, and began considering the possibility of a revival — this is it.
2. Please treat NEWSPAPER as an alternative exhibition space in print. This publication is intended to function as a space for shows to happen and circulate.
3. NEWSPAPER invites submissions, suggestions, and critiques which will benefit the publication in the future. If you would like to help in its production, please reach out.
4. This first issue serves as an introduction to the format. Our next issue will focus on Latin American work with a particular queer sensibility. It will be more political. My hopes are that the size and affordability will make queer art happenings ! ! possible in places where galleries nor institutions show queer work. Because of its scale, I encourage you take NEWSPAPER apart and use it as a tool to hold your own exhibit. If you are in a particular geographical location where you as a queer artist have no queer space, please be in touch and let’s form a community.
