Jimmy Desana: Submission

Jimmy DeSana was a pioneering artist in New York's art and music scenes of the 1970s and 1980s, known for his surreal, queer, and humorous photographic art. This first comprehensive book on his work explores his involvement in mail art, punk and No Wave music, film, and artist collectives, and his exploration of gender, sexuality, and consumer capitalism through his best-known series, Suburban.

Format: Hardback
Length: 176 pages
Publication date: 23 January 2023
Publisher: Distributed Art Publishers

Jimmy DeSana, a pivotal figure in the vibrant art and music scenes of New York during the 1970s and 1980s, emerges as the subject of the first comprehensive book dedicated to his surreal, queer, and humorous photographic art. This insightful exploration delves into the life and work of DeSana, highlighting his pioneering yet underappreciated contributions to the artistic landscape of the city.

The book situates DeSana's artistic journey within the broader contexts of countercultural and queer movements in both the American South and New York. Through his involvement in mail art, punk, and No Wave music, as well as film, and artist collectives and publications, DeSana's work is intricately linked to the vibrant tapestry of these cultural movements.

One of DeSana's earliest and most significant projects was 101 Nudes, an ambitious undertaking that emerged during the gay liberation movement in Atlanta. This project, which showcased a diverse range of nude portraits, marked a significant milestone in DeSana's artistic career. After relocating to New York in 1973, DeSana became deeply immersed in the city's queer networks, collaborating with artists such as General Idea and Ray Johnson on zines and mail art. He also documented the genderqueer street performances of Stephen Varble, capturing the essence of the city's vibrant subculture.

By the mid-1970s, DeSana had established himself as a prominent figure in New York's No Wave music and film scenes. He served as a portraitist for many of the era's central figures, capturing their essence in striking and often humorous images. His album covers for Talking Heads, James Chance, and others further solidified his reputation as a talented artist.

In addition to his portraiture work, DeSana was an early adopter of color photography. His best-known series, Suburban, which was created in the late 1970s and early 1980s, explores the complex relationships between gender, sexuality, and consumer capitalism in surreal and often humorous ways. Through his lens, DeSana humorously subverts societal norms and expectations, challenging the viewer to reexamine their perceptions of identity and consumer culture.

However, DeSana's artistic journey was not without its challenges. In the late 1980s, he was diagnosed with HIV, which significantly impacted his health and artistic output. Despite this setback, DeSana refused to let his illness define him. He turned to abstraction, employing experimental photographic techniques to continue pushing against photographic norms and explore new artistic territories.

DeSana's legacy as an artist continues to resonate today, with his work being celebrated in galleries and museums worldwide. His innovative approach to photography, his commitment to social justice, and his ability to capture the essence of the human experience have made him a revered figure in the art world.

In conclusion, Jimmy DeSana's first comprehensive book offers a profound insight into the life and work of a pioneering yet underrecognized figure in New York's art, music, and film scenes during the 1970s and 1980s. Through his surreal, queer, and humorous photographic art, DeSana challenged societal norms, explored complex themes, and left an indelible mark on the artistic landscape of the city. His legacy as an artist continues to inspire and influence generations of artists, reminding us of the power of creativity and the importance of pushing boundaries in the pursuit of artistic expression.

Weight: 1179g
Dimension: 305 x 231 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781636810591