The Kings Of Kink

Before the Internet, the worlds of erotic art and photography were far less collaborative. While art insiders would often interact, they were usually limited by distance.

    Before the Internet, the worlds of erotic art and photography were far less collaborative. While art insiders would often interact, they were usually limited by distance. For art world outsiders who didn’t live in places like New York CIty, published art books, newspaper and magazine articles, and occasional art shows were the only ways to connect with the artists. Until recently, a handful of influential and gifted visionaries played a huge role in defining the gay porn aesthetic. In today’s connected world, things are much more fluid and interactive, with artists across the globe who may never have met sharing and influencing one another on a daily basis. Even so, the standards set by the first pioneers are still relevant – which is a testament to their true artistry. Here’s a look at just a handful of the artists who played (and are playing) a huge part in defining today’s gay erotic art and porn.

ULLI RICHTER
    Born in East Germany, Ulli spent much of his childhood traveling with his parents and developed an early interest in architectural photography. After the fall of the Berlin wall, Ulli was looking for a new direction and moved to London in 1996. Quickly drawn to London’s subculture, he has since become one of the world’s most sought after portrait and news photographers. His works are held in galleries and private collections around the world. He’s known for his shocking, sensuous scenes of BDSM and his ability to vividly capture a kinky moment with crystal clarity.

TOM NICOLL
    One of the pioneers in the world of male leather photography, Tom Nicoll had begun persuing his unique vision even before 1950. If anyone can claim to have first captured the image of a gay man in black leather, it’s Nicoll. Besides the groundbreaking subject matter, Nicoll is also known for his technical skill and his exacting attention to lighting and composition. His ability to capture these scenes may stem from his being deeply involved in the leather community. In fact, in some photos the motorcycle pictured was his own. Producing his photos in his own garage studio in London, his work had an organic and authentic quality that still stands as a gold standard today. Before Tom of Finalnd had published his work, Tom Nicoll was in print and may even have influenced Tom of Finland through their friendship – thanks to an introduction from Bob Mizer. In 1963 he moved to San Francisco, but gave up photography a year later.

TOM OF FINLAND
    If there’s one iconic name that is more well known than any other in the world of gay fetish art, it’s Tom of Finalnd was already dreaming of and drawing his men. In many ways, current aesthetics have many roots in his dreams. His first two drawings were published in 1957 in Physique Pictorial, accompanied by a short bio (presumably written by Bob Mizer) that described him as, “an artist who lives in Finland and draws directly from life. He is also going to show us other aspects of the rugged, physical, culture-minded men of Finland.” From this emerged his “Tom of Finland” monicker, with Tom being an approximation of the Finnish Touko. His artwork and style have been imitated ever since and his influence can be seen throughout gay culture.

PETER BERLIN
    Serving as his own stylist and photographger, Peter Berlin created a look all his own that made him into an international sensation. His two films –1972’s Night in Black Leather and 1974’s That Boy – were huge hits that played to sold out crowds for years.  Raised in Berlin, Peter developed an early interest in erotic self-portraiture. In the 1970s he moved to San Francisco and became well-known on the social scene and at the city’s most active cruising grounds. There in San Francisco Berlin collaborated with friend Richard Abel on his first hit film. He was one of the first superstars of gay porn and he influenced a generation of future artists, writers, and intellectuals. A recent documentary about his fascinating life called That Man: Peter Berlin, directed by Jim Tushinski, received rave reviews.

ROBERT MAPPLETHORPE
    Born in 1946 in Floral Park, Queens, Maplethorpe grew up in suburban America. In 1963 he attended the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn and studied art, getting his first Polaroid camera in 1970. Soon after, he began gravitating towards photography and felt that he had finally found his medium. He also met Patti Smith that same year and they moved into the Chelsea Hotel together. The late 1970s were when Maplethorpe first became interested in New York’s S&M community. Although he went on to photograph other subjects, he is still remembered for his iconic images of the S&M community that continue to influence today’s photographers. He died of AIDS in 1989 and has since been hailed as one of the most influential artists of the twentieth century.

VAN DARKHOLME
    It was a major event when Van Darkholme joined Kink as a director, and ever since then the content at their gay sites has been groundbreaking. Already an established expert in Shibari rope binding and a celebrated director when he joined Kink, his fresh perspective has brought a whole new level of intensity and artistry to Kink’s gay content.