Peter Hujar: Love & Lust

The work of Peter Hujar (1934–1987) is revered by artists, yet still something of a secret to the wider art public. His photographs dealing with sex and eros—pictures that are among his finest and most radical work—may be responsible in part for the sub rosa quality of his reputation. Fraenkel Gallery presents the first exhibition and publication to focus on Hujar’s photographs of love and lust. 

Daniel Schook Sucking Toe, 1981

Twenty-seven years after his death, certain of the photographs will still make many viewers uneasy. Hujar’s view of the human body was uninhibited and uncompromising, but his most original work broke new ground in capturing eros and eroticism. [Note: the exhibition includes sexually explicit images.]

Orgasmic Man (I, II & III), 1969

Peter Hujar: Love & Lust is accompanied by an 82-page, illustrated catalogue. Although individual works have been seen in survey exhibitions, they have never before been published as a whole. The catalogue also features an essay by Vince Aletti and an interview with Fran Lebowitz.

Self-Portrait Standing, 1980
gelatin silver print, 20 x 16 inches (sheet) [50.8 x 40.6 cm]

The exhibition runs concurrently with Nan Goldin: Nine Self-Portraits.

The New Yorker photography critic, Vince Aletti, shares memories of his late friend, Peter Hujar. Aletti maintains that Peter Hujar’s photographs were created through distinct connection which allows the audience to recognize the mutual affection on both sides of the camera.
Duration: 02:08 | Release Date: Feb 2014

Works on View

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