It’s no secret, Dear Breeder, that lesbian artists have long been celebrated in the snobbish art world, where they are consistently treated to lavish gallery openings, European tours, and red-carpetmunching soirées. Everywhere you look, around every corner and behind every Great Dane, you’ll see them: realistic representations of lesbians created by lesbians–all thanks to a generous art industry that wants us to know that our voices WILL be heard. However, as you easily list off the household names of at least twenty famous lesbian artists—those Picassos and Cézannes who are women—there is one who might not immediately come to mind: Catherine Opie.
Don’t feel embarrassed about not knowing this name. Opie is merely a world-renowned photographer with international representation and a faculty appointment at UCLA, and who has already had a mid-career survey exhibition at the Guggenheim. Her portraits explore urban and underground cultures as she photographs transient communities of ice fishers, surfers, football players…and queers.
Our lady, indeed!
When I say “queers,” Dear Breeder, I mean “people who are very different from you and who make you feel anxious even though you usually feel comfortable and at home in the world.” I’m referring to people who, like the numerous lesbian artists I’m sure you can name at the drop of a cat, live on a planet you’ve never visited. What’s that, Dear Breeder, you’d like to meet one? OK. Meet Catherine Opie, “America’s Sweetheart.” She’s just your average boy next door, I promise.
Catherine the GRRREAT!!!
In fact, I’m sure you know her. Remember that episode of that one early black and white, good-timey sitcom? The one where Opie meets Mr. McBeevee in the forest but Opie’s father thinks he’s crying wolf? Injustice! What about the one where Opie kills a mama bird and has to mommy her baby birds until they fly the coop? Life lesson! You can learn a lot about life, Dear Breeder, from the commonplace experiences of one of the greatest living artists in America.
NOW who looks like a twelve year-old boy?!
It’s funny, Dear Breeder, we gays don’t ask you for much, just for you to remember that we exist from time to time, or not to spit on us in the street. But one of the most meaningful things you can do for the gay in your life is to mention another gay person in conversation—a “famous” one, let’s say—just to show you care, and that you’re sort of paying attention. Try “Catherine Opie” next time you’re gay-name-dropping. This handy reference will not only show that you are vaguely aware of homosexuality, but that you are also somewhat concerned with art and beauty—the true keys to any gay’s heart.
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Tags: Catherine Opie, Gay Name-Dropping, Lesbian Art, Opie Taylor and The History of Butch Appropriation, Our Lady of Perpetual Boners, Queer Photography, The Art World
April 9, 2009 at 10:47 pm |
Entirely by coincidence I was doing a search in a database this evening and up popped a record for an exhibition catalogue for Catherine Opie. I actually was doing a search for Dorothy Allison, who wrote a reflection for the catalogue.
May 9, 2009 at 9:57 pm |
oh wow, what was that catalog? I would love to read it. Just saw Dorothy Allison speak last weekend…at that same feminist bookstore I mentioned in the previous reply about Staceyann Chin.