Albert Koomen - 'Bear/Face'
Wednesday 6 June - Sunday 1 July 2018
"Bear/Face is a collection of portraits of close friends.
On one level, they are warm and intimate insights into their personalities and, on another, they explore the little-seen world of gay bears. This is a very masculine part of the LGBTIQ community that celebrates beards, burliness and body-hair.
As an artist and gay man I have been documenting men from this close-knit community for many years. My models are usually very willing to be drawn because this is not something that is asked often of them. I strive to maintain this trust but also aim to uncover the qualities of their handsomeness, strength, intelligence and vulnerability."