Masculinity through a Queer lens in ‘ECCE HOMO’ portrait series

David Clifton-Strawn, a local portrait photographer and the Executive Director of the Atlanta Photography Group, is gearing up for a solo exhibition of his works at Alan Avery Art Company.

Clifton-Strawn’s exhibition “ECCE HOMO,” which is Latin for “Behold the Man,” offers a new take on the queer experience, particularly as it contends with male identity. In contrast to the classic examples of Ecce Homo portraiture in history that depict a tortured Jesus being presented to an angry crowd by Pontius Pilot, Clifton-Strawn leaned into the phrase as a kind of reclamation of masculinity and men as figures in art.

“So much of queer photography in the art world has been about oppression and struggles,” explained Clifton-Strawn. “Either they are somehow tied to the AIDs crisis, or laws written against us, and I really wanted to focus on just presenting people as they are.” Rather than seeking tolerance or acceptance, he is interested in presenting masculine figures as their authentic selves.

Through careful forethought, attention to even the most minute details, and a playful reimagining of traditional tropes often seen in Renaissance-era art, Clifton-Strawn’s works seek to question the prescribed boundaries of male and LGBTQIA+ identities. This collection of portraits exemplifies a delicate balance between Clifton-Strawn’s editorial portraiture and his understanding of high fashion.

“There’s joy in the images. It’s a declaration, but it’s a contemporary declaration.”

In the portrait series, his characters are captured in moments of repose, in grandeur, and in unabashed eroticism. Some are dressed in exquisite gowns and extravagant makeup, while others appear in stark nudity. The images offer an exploration of the multifaceted masculine experience that range from positions of power to vulnerability.

“That’s kind of the whole theme behind this exhibition,” said Clifton-Strawn about portrayals of masculinity in art. “There’s such a range of what that can look like.”

Even in the images that display figures in compromising arrangements, the subjects exude a sort of comfort and power. This is possible thanks to Clifton-Strawn’s commitment to consent throughout the photography process. “Consent is everything, right? From the creation of the photograph to the publication of the photograph, there’s a process of consent with the models.”

In order to capture images that feel authentic and in which the subjects themselves are comfortable, at ease, and in their own power, Clifton-Strawn seeks to learn more about his subjects and forge connections through conversation during each photoshoot.

“I set up scenes and general poses but I let the people inhibit that scene that I’ve created in a way that’s most comfortable for them. When people are uncomfortable it translates visually, so I like people to be comfortable and act naturally,” said Clifton-Strawn.

In the process of these shoots, he allows the models to be active participants in the composition of their bodies within the scene. As a result, the images become a collaboration between photographer and subject. Clifton-Strawn expertly weaves themes of masculinity, queerness, identity, fashion, and self-perception through the lens of contemporary fine art photography.

“ECCE HOMO” will open at Alan Avery Art Company at 656 Miami Circle NE this Fri., Oct. 11 from 7-10 p.m. Stick around for “Handle With Care,” the lively afterparty that will kick off in the space from 10 p.m. until late.

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