He undeniably pushed the boundaries in art, and consequently in visual culture as the shift from a heteronormative male gaze gave way to a more inclusive take on eroticism. Regardless of the problematic nature of certain aspects of his work, Mapplethorpe was a seminal figure in the gay community and the arts from the 1970’s until his death in 1989. Constantly at the forefront of controversy, his work has sparked public debate about censorship and art funding, as well as the objectification of black men in the gay community for his solo exhibition Black Males and subsequent book The Black Book. A celebrated photographer known for his often divisive subject matter, his work ranged from portraits of socialites, statuesque figures of nudes, and scenes from underground BDSM gay scenes in New York. Perhaps one of the first names that comes to mind when mentioning artists and gay identity is Robert Mapplethorpe. Guggenheim Museum, New York Gift, The Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation, 1993
Robert Mapplethorpe, Self Portrait, 1980, gelatin silver print.
