CONTACTStaffCAREER OPPORTUNITIESADVERTISE WITH USPRIVACY POLICYPRIVACY PREFERENCESTERMS OF USELEGAL NOTICE
© 2024 Pride Publishing Inc.
All Rights reserved
All Rights reserved
By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use.
The work of up-and-coming artist Michael Petry, to be featured in a New York gallery, takes an abstract approach to the U.S. antigay "don't ask, don't tell" military policy.
In the installation titled "Monument to an Unknown Soldier: Portrait of an American Patriot," Petry allegedly asked a gay American veteran to provide a sperm sample, which appears to have been splashed on the flag. The stains were then used as a pattern for embroidery to be sewn into the flag.
Petry explained, "The soldier must remain unknown or face expulsion from an Army that was happy to see him serve, and possibly lose his life, yet not love nor make that love known."
The policy, established in 1993, prohibits the military from inquiring about the sex lives of service members but requires the discharge of those who acknowledge being gay.
Another work, "5star," which features five red, white, and blue inconspicuous bowls, actually takes its pattern from the sphincters of gay American porn stars who perform in military-themed films.
"In 2006 real members of the U.S. Army were imprisoned for consensual same-sex love, while soldiers who tortured and murdered Iraqi civilians were merely fined. The work opens itself to the viewer, yet remains five beautiful blossoms unaffected by any histories," said Petry.
Petry lectures part-time at the Royal College of Art in London and is a research fellow at the School of Art and Design at the University of Wolverhampton, England.
The exhibition opens Thursday and runs through February 4 at the Sundaram Tagore Gallery at 547 W. 27th St., New York. (Hassan Mirza, Gay.com U.K.)
Want more breaking equality news & trending entertainment stories?
Check out our NEW 24/7 streaming service: the Advocate Channel!
Download the Advocate Channel App for your mobile phone and your favorite streaming device!
From our Sponsors
Most Popular
Here Are Our 2024 Election Predictions. Will They Come True?
November 07 2023 1:46 PM
17 Celebs Who Are Out & Proud of Their Trans & Nonbinary Kids
November 30 2023 10:41 AM
Here Are the 15 Most LGBTQ-Friendly Cities in the U.S.
November 01 2023 5:09 PM
Which State Is the Queerest? These Are the States With the Most LGBTQ+ People
December 11 2023 10:00 AM
These 27 Senate Hearing Room Gay Sex Jokes Are Truly Exquisite
December 17 2023 3:33 PM
30 Steamy Photos of Folsom Street Fair 2023 Debauchery
October 15 2023 11:06 PM
10 Cheeky and Homoerotic Photos From Bob Mizer's Nude Films
November 18 2023 10:05 PM
42 Flaming Hot Photos From 2024's Australian Firefighters Calendar
November 10 2023 6:08 PM
These Are the 5 States With the Smallest Percentage of LGBTQ+ People
December 13 2023 9:15 AM
Here are the 15 gayest travel destinations in the world: report
March 26 2024 9:23 AM
Watch Now: Advocate Channel
Trending Stories & News
For more news and videos on advocatechannel.com, click here.
Trending Stories & News
For more news and videos on advocatechannel.com, click here.
Latest Stories
Wherever drag queen Tara Hoot goes, bomb threats seem to follow
April 11 2024 4:26 PM
Right-wing extremists confront transgender people in Florida bathrooms
April 11 2024 2:59 PM
Transgender boxer Patricio Manuel disappointed but defiant after first-round knockout
April 11 2024 12:37 PM
Lesbians have more orgasms than straight women — and yes, it's men's fault
April 11 2024 9:37 AM