You may have heard of it. The most important gay café space (with lots of art added) since First Our was closed down to make that whole funny Outernet space, whatever the hell that’s supposed to be.
But BOYS! BOYS! BOYS! is more than somewhere to get an oat milk latte or a glass of their own-brand fizz, it’s a pioneering initiative under The Little Black Gallery, established in 2018 by co-founder Ghislain Pascal, dedicated to showcasing and promoting queer and gay fine art photography.
Since its inception, the project has garnered a diverse representation of over 84 photographers from 34 countries, including those where LGBTQ+ rights are severely restricted, such as China, India, Iran, Kenya, Poland, and Russia. This endeavour aims to highlight the unique perspectives and challenges faced by queer individuals in these regions.
The scope of BOYS! BOYS! BOYS! extends beyond mere exhibitions; it encompasses a wide array of activities including the publication of books, a bi-annual magazine, zines, photography courses, and portfolio reviews. And now the first collaboration with JAKE on 9th April. Additionally, it features an online art platform that serves as a hub for queer artistic expression. The physical presence up on Warren Street where the likes of Boy George once used to squat (as in ‘live in unauthorised buildings’ rather than, you know, squat) comes in the form of BOYS! BOYS! BOYS! Gallery Café in Fitzrovia, which opened in October of last year.
Ghislain Pascal, a prominent figure in the art world, previously worked as a celebrity agent and publicist, notably for the iconic photographer Bob Carlos Clarke. After Carlos Clarke’s passing in 2006, Pascal co-founded The Little Black Gallery in 2008 alongside Tamara Beckwith Veroni. The gallery has since evolved into one of London’s premier photography venues, focusing on contemporary photography while curating impactful exhibitions worldwide without a permanent location.
The Little Black Gallery, co-owned by Pascal and Veroni, has made a significant mark by conducting multiple BOYS! BOYS! BOYS! auctions in collaboration with Paddle8, and by showcasing exhibitions across renowned venues such as Fahey Klein Gallery in Los Angeles, The Ravestijn Gallery in Amsterdam, and Galerie Biesenbach in Cologne, among others.
The BOYS! BOYS! BOYS! book series, which began with a project featuring a foreword by David Furnish in 2019, has achieved sold-out status, with all royalties generously donated to the Elton John AIDS Foundation. A second book was published in 2020, with a third addition released in 2023 by Kehrer Verlag, highlighting the continued success and importance of this initiative. The bi-annual BOYS! BOYS! BOYS! Magazine, launched in January 2021, further promotes the voices and stories of queer artists.
In summary, BOYS! BOYS! BOYS! is not just an arts programme; it is a vital platform advocating for queer visibility and representation in the world of fine art photography, fostering a sense of community and resilience amid adversity. It’s also the venue for an upcoming JAKE evening of drinks and smart talk with a smattering of flirtatious behaviours.
Buy your tickets at events.jakeldn.com
- https://atomicbooks.com/products/boys-boys-boys-magazine – This URL supports the claim about the BOYS BOYS BOYS magazine being a fine art photography publication dedicated to queer and gay photography, highlighting its role in promoting queer voices.
- https://www.thelittleblackgallery.com/pages/about – This URL corroborates the information about The Little Black Gallery, its co-founders, and the BOYS BOYS BOYS initiative, including its mission to promote queer and gay fine art photography.
- https://loeildelaphotographie.com/en/the-little-black-gallery-boys-boys-boys-lucas-murnaghan-beneath-the-surface/ – This URL provides evidence of The Little Black Gallery’s online exhibitions and its BOYS BOYS BOYS platform, which showcases queer and gay photography.
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