Category Archives: Collecting

Artist: "Macbeth" from the collection of Larry Townsend

Larry Townsend was a pivotal figure in the development of leather culture as we know it. What many do not know is that he was also a collector of art. The Center for Sex and Culture is extremely proud to present a selection of work from his collection. We will be showing illustrations by Macbeth, Olaf, Sean, Orsen, Russ, Dennis, Zane, DP, and others. This work spans a wide range of what we now thing of as the classical period of gay SM illustration work; the period in which almost no artists used their real full names when doing this sort of work. There are cops and cowboys and romans and leathermen playing in almost every way imaginable. The clear theme that runs through Townsend’s collection is that of unrestrained perverted joy. We will also be showing a selection of Townsend’s personal ephemera including toys, leathers, and original manuscripts. Please come join us to share this exceptional collection of materials. (via curatorial statement)

Center for Sex and Culture, 1349 Mission Street (at Grace Street between 9th and 10th streets) in San Francisco.

Opening: Friday February 3, 6:30 PM

Exhibit dates: February 3 – March 30, 2012

Viewings by appointment and at other CSC Events