Original artwork description:

In creating this work, I set out to reclaim the rich legacy of post-impressionist painting—vibrant colors, expressive brushstrokes, and daring compositional choices—while shifting the focus to a male body viewed through a queer lens. Traditionally, much of Western art history has been authored by white, heterosexual men, whose depictions of the nude body often centered on the female form as an object of desire. By contrast, “Standing Nude Against Yellow Background” asserts the legitimacy and potency of the male nude as a subject in its own right—one that belongs not just to the history of art, but to a broader, more inclusive cultural dialogue.

I use the luminous yellows and energetic contours to emphasize the figure’s presence, challenging the long-standing conventions that have excluded queer experiences from mainstream narratives. Here, the nude is neither purely sexualized nor relegated to the margins; instead, it becomes a symbol of self-possession, confidence, and the multifaceted nature of queer identity. The bold palette nods to the emotional intensity of post-impressionism, while the direct gaze of the subject confronts the viewer, inviting them into a conversation about representation, visibility, and power. Ultimately, this painting is an act of creative resistance—an affirmation that the queer body can and must inhabit the same visual space once monopolized by a singular, dominant perspective.

Materials used:

Oil on canvas

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