HIDE/SEEK: Difference and Desire in American Portraiture

Katie Roberts

I was privileged to attend the tour provided by Rob Roth at the Tacoma Art Museum.  I was pleasantly surprised to discover that this small but innovative museum had a lovely collection and many pleasing selections.  I even asked Kasey Rider to share his thoughts about the museum – I agree with his statement –you should go check it out!

Rob provided an excellent tour, and I was astonished by the depth of his knowledge - and I was entranced by what he shared with us. I would not be able to write this article and share those lovely artworks with you without his input. I will be attending Rob's tours in the future as much as possible!

I could not possibly cover all of the works of art in the exhibit, so I have selected a few to comment on.  However, here is a link which you can check to see more of the artworks exhibited.

"Self-Potrait", Romaine Brooks - 1923

Rob tells us about an earlier era, when homosexuality was acknowledged, but not spoken of.  Romaine Brooks painted this self potrait - which revealed her inclinations, as a woman, to dress like a man, carry herself like a man and express herself as a mannish woman. She often depicted women in art of accomplishment, independence, of the wealthy lesbian at the time.  This was a daring thing to do at her time, as it was often not spoken of in polite company. This link by the Smithsonian provides more information.

Hugh Laing and Antony Tudor. Photograph by Carl Van Vechten -1940

Hugh was a director, and Antony was a dancer - their relationship was an open secret - but not to be spoken of. Yet, Van Vechten's photo hints at their intimacy (notice how their hands are touching below Hugh's arm?) was shocking at that time.  This photo may seem quaint today, but it was quite revealing at the time.

"Untitled' (Potrait of Ross in L.A.), Felix Gonzalez-Torres -1991

The AIDS crisis left its' mark on the gay community, and the people who have died are still remembered today.  Felix's lover, Ross, was 175 pounds at his healthiest, but when he was diagnosed, he contined to waste away.  We are asked to help ourselves to a piece of candy from this 175-pound pile. Every night, the pile is replenished, and the cycle of life and death continues.
This artwork was loaned to the collection from the Brooklyn Museum of Art. The next picture is also from the same museum, and it was my favorite work in the exhibit.

"I Look Just Like My Daddy" - Photography by Cass Bird - 2005

 I was delighted by the ambigious gender of the person in the picture. Is it a girl? A boy? Does it really matter? I thought of how today it seems that the definition of gender is in flux - people play with it, don on clothes and present themselves in an ambigious manner.

It was fascinating to see the evolution of society's attitudes towards LGBT people through art - first a casual ignorance, inattention and permissiveness of certain behavior.  Then a secret not to be spoken of - such as those "Boston Marriages", only to be whispered among people. It wasn't until the 1940's, the Red Scare, that homosexuality was demonized and gay people themselves were considered a minority group - one that threatened our moral fabric.  Then when the AIDS crisis hit, it was thought of as God's judgement, until it was discovered that AIDS does not discriminate.  Today we are teetering on a fine line between acceptance and demonization, used as pawns by politicans and religious leaders. Yet, among younger people, there is a growing acceptance of gender ambiguity, such as depicted by the picture taken by Cass Bird.

I really enjoyed this exhibit. It was worth my trip!