Tom of Finland, Untitled (Preparatory Drawing), 1981. Courtesy of Venus Over Manhattan
Tom of Finland, Untitled (Preparatory Drawing), 1981. Courtesy of Venus Over Manhattan
Karl Wirsum, Untitled, 1967. Courtesy of Venus Over Manhattan
The latest exhibition at Venus Over Manhattan in New York City’s SoHo neighborhood highlights three artists whose props are long overdue. “In My Room,” opening Thursday, June 8 at 55 Great Jones Street, features works on paper and bristol board by Ana Benaroya, Tom of Finland, and Karl Wirsum—all of which delve into personal identity, queerness, and art histories that don’t center the Western, cis, patriarchal gaze.
The show puts on view for the first time 17 new drawings by Benaroya, six pieces created between 1966-67 by Wirsum, and three works from Tom of Finland from the ’70s and ’80s. It’s also the first exhibition dedicated to Benaroya’s drawings, and explores the impact that both Tom and Finland and Karl Wirsum had on the New Jersey-based visual artist’s works. Taking in the trio of creators’ pieces together makes them truly come alive, both individually and as a group. For more, visit venusovermanhattan.com.
