The first ever federal-backed gay art exhibition, “Hide-Seek: Difference and Desire in American Portraiture”, will show in October at the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery in Washington, DC—and a fundraising drive was launchd this week to support it. The show, which explores the role of gay and lesbian artists in portraying modern America, will consist of over 150 works, with important loans from Europe.
Already $500,000 has been raised towards the $900,000 cost of the show. Performer/producer Johnnie Moore, launching the New York fundraising committee on Monday, said: “This is a masterpiece show that re-orientates our idea of modernism through the lens of sexual difference—it is right that this will take place in the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery, the national museum of American identity.” If the target is not reached by October, then the Smithsonian will extend a loan until the sum is reached.
Originally appeared in The Art Newspaper as 'Capital show for gay art'