An exhibition of paintings addressing GLBTQ issues by artist Paul Richmond is currently on display at BoMA: The Bar of Modern Art. A special reception event will be held on Friday, October 5th from 8pm – midnight. The evening’s festivities will include the unveiling of a special painting honoring the late Tammy Faye Messner and performances by Miss Gay Pride Ohio 2007, Paige Passion. Paul Richmond has been a Premiere Portfolio Artist at absolutearts.com since 2004. Paul Richmond is a 27 year old artist whose powerful paintings embody the “ins and outs” of a topic at the forefront of current affairs: sexual orientation.
Drawing upon his own experiences as a young man who was raised in a conservative, Midwestern environment and struggled to come to terms with his homosexuality, he explores deeply personal feelings, insecurities, fears and triumphs in this exhibition which was introduced at the Ohio Art League Gallery in March. Several additional paintings, including “Remembering Tammy Faye” will be presented in the BoMA show.
Richmond explains, “In my opinion, Tammy Faye demonstrated inspirational courage and surprising depth throughout her colorful life, from her open-armed embrace of homosexuals to the self-deprecating humor that lasted until the end. It is my hope that her legacy will be even more far-reaching than her eyelashes, and this painting is my way of expressing that.” Proceeds from the painting will be donated to the Tammy Faye Memorial Trust Fund.
According to her website (www.tammyfaye.com), Messner “always said that she did not want a funeral. Instead she wanted a celebration...” The reception at BoMA promises to be just that, complete with an outrageous Tammy Faye inspired cake provided by Cake Out the Jams and multiple performances by the fabulous Miss Gay Pride Ohio 2007, Paige Passion!
Paul Richmond graduated from Columbus College of Art and Design in 2002. His work as a commercial artist has included the illustration of eight children’s books, concert merchandise, a nationally syndicated comic strip, and a variety of large-scale murals. Richmond came out of the closet shortly after graduating from college, and his fine artwork, which has been exhibited in numerous group and solo exhibitions, was significantly impacted by that life-altering moment. He began using his paintings as a vehicle to explore and understand his own journey and to develop a dialogue with other members of the GLBTQ community. His hope is that through viewing his body of work, others will be able to locate or understand their own steps in the process of self-acceptance.
The Bar of Modern Art is a unique multimedia venue located in downtown Columbus Ohio at 583 E. Broad Street. BoMA is housed in a renovated historic stone church built in 1896. It includes a fine dining 100 seat restaurant, seven bars and 2 dancefloors. BoMA strives to bring patrons art in its many aspects through music entertainment, visual and performing art, and fine dining. Visit www.barofmodernart.com for more information.
To view Richmond’s work online and find out more about this event, visit IMAGE
Artist: Paul Richmond
Title: Not Just a Closet
Year Created: 2007
Medium: Oil Painting
Width: 96 inches
Height: 36 inches
Price: US$ 2200
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