Asked by the people behind the XXX-Leather parties Johan had a studio at the parties located next to the dancefloor in order to photograph the party visitors.The artwork and photographs characterise themselves by the interaction of light, darkness and reflections. In his work he tries to capture some of the mystery of male sexual energy, power and vulnerabilaty. Van Breukelen is fascinated by the darker side of (homo) sexuality with all its deforming aspects. At the same time he shows the beauty and innocence of desiring, the search for contact and connection.

Also on display is a selection of photo prints which where exhibited (in stock) at the Galerie Faubourg. Sadly this galery is closing its doors 1st of November. And with it an importent podium for male erotic art in the Netherlands. Fortunatly Mister B has build a tradition of regular exhibitions having dedicated the walls of his Amsterdam and Berlin shops to male erotic art with regular changes.

THE ARTIST:

The painter Paul Cezanne has painted and drawn the mount Sainte Victoire in the Provence in his work for years. Still you cannot call his work ‘mountain-art’. Just like you cant categorise the work of Johan van Breukelen simply as ‘male-nude’ or ‘ erotic photography’. His work is just too dark and by ingenious use of mirrors litterally too deforming.

Sometimes you can still see how well formed the bodies of the models are, and they reflect certain beauty ideals. But in contrast to what you frequently see in the work of artists who take ‘male-nude’ as a subject, Van Breukelen doesn’t seem to be interested in external beauty and youth. For him beauty and youth refer to the decline that underneath is already irrevocably going on. Naked bodies are being represented in distorted poses, wrestling with themselves and each other.

You could say that in much of the work suffering and the fight between life and death is taking place. Still in the work of Van Breukelen that doesnt seem to lead to gloominess or depression. In his work fighting and suffering take the form of dancing and playfullness with vulnerability and strength combined with shadows, light and wonderful colours. This combination is the most important influence that gives this work, certainly that of the last few years, its exceeding and festive quality.