HOLLYWOOD, Calif. - Antebellum Gallery opened its "S+M: An Exploration of Sadomasochistic Art" exhibition on Feb. 14. Gallery owner Rick Castro said he hoped attendees would gain an appreciation of fetish as art and a better understanding of the history of S&M and how it has always been a part of human sexuality.
"What better day to explore the pleasure of pain than on the day of love?" he said. "The opening was a smashing success that would've made De Sade proud."
Attendees at the opening-night event included David Hurles, Dian Hansen of Taschen Publications, Durk Denher of the Tom of Finland Foundation, Madonna's choreographer Kevin Stea, actor Guillermo Diaz, Promis, Tim McCormick of LA Weekly, actor Daniel Rivas and press, including Hollywood Reporter.
Artists in attendance included Tony Ward, Adam Kozik, Mitchel Evans, Dillinger, Domasan, AJ Epstein, David G. Crocker, Juan Martin del Campo Jr., Allen Hatch, Don Tinling and Bryan Barnes.
[To purchase art from these artists click here . Additional works can be seen at the artist's websites.]
Epstein has a long history in the fetish and adult film world, including work that was exhibited by gay iconographer Tom of Finland. His work also included still-shot photography for classic Joe Gage films such as Kansas City Trucking Company, El Paso Wrecking Crew and Closet Set.
"[Joe Gage] reminded me that I designed the poster, the advertising and even designed the signs on the sides of the trucks for Kansas City," he told ANB. "I also was art director and boyfriend of Fred Halsted, another porn classic, and was involved with Colt Tucker, both romantically and creatively."
Several images of Tucker were on display in the "S+M" exhibit.
"This is the first time I have shown many of these images in many years," Epstein said. "I think the public has finally caught up with my art."
Epstein said he and Castro are discussing future collaborations at Antebellum.
"Rick has asked me to top in a fisting evening," he said. "So far, it has not worked out, I might."
In addition to the March 14 fisting performance, Castro has several salon events scheduled at the gallery over the next month.
"All the salons are events that cater specifically to whatever the theme is," Castro explained. "The salons attract specific enthusiasts of the particular fetish. It's an intimate [and] enthusiastic group."
Upcoming events include the spanking salon (Feb. 23), sketching salon (Feb. 24), fetish book club (Feb. 28), cigar salon (Feb. 29), bondage salon (Mar. 1), a screening of SALO (Mar. 6), Domasan bondage salon (Mar. 7), wax demo (Mar. 8), fisting performance (Mar. 14) and the "Rubber Night Closing Party" (Mar. 15).
To see a gallery of pictures from the opening night celebration click here