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These paintings pose many questions. They ask about legacy. As a gay man, I will not be creating traditional, biological children. So what am I doing with my legacy a.k.a semen? What are men in general doing with their orgasms? Does your orgasm end up in a T-shirt, get washed down the shower drain? Are all orgasms meant for procreation? How does non-procreative sex play a role in our lives? Ask yourself these questions and how it may apply to your own life philosophies. "Multiple Orgasm 2" was in the 2011 Kinsey Institute Juried Art Show and "Red" was in the February 2012, Detroit Dirty Show.
Acrylics and Semen on Wood 5' X 11.25"
Acrylics and Semen on Wood 5' X 11.25"
Acrylics and Semen on Wood 2' X 2'
Acrylics and Semen on Wood 2' X 2'
Acrylics and Semen on Wood 2' X 2'
Acrylics and Semen on Wood 2' X 2'
Acrylics and Semen on 300# Paper 18”X14.5”
Acrylics and Semen on 300# Paper 18”X14.5”
Acrylics and Semen on 300# Paper 18”X14.5”
Acrylics and Semen on 300# Paper 18”X14.5”
Acrylics and Semen on 300# Paper 18”X14.5”
Acrylics and Semen on 300# Paper 18”X14.5”
Acrylics and Semen on 300# Paper 18”X14.5”
Acrylics and Semen on 300# Paper 18”X14.5”
Acrylics and Semen on 300# Paper 18”X14.5”
Acrylics and Semen on 300# Paper 18”X14.5”
Acrylics and Semen on 300# Paper 18”X14.5”
Acrylics and Semen on 300# Paper 18”X14.5”
Acrylics and Semen on 300# Paper 18”X14.5”
Acrylics and Semen on 300# Paper 18”X14.5”
Acrylics and Semen on 300# Paper 18”X14.5”
Acrylics and Semen on 300# Paper 18”X14.5”
Acrylics and Semen on 300# Paper 18”X14.5”
Acrylics and Semen on 300# Paper 18”X14.5”
BECAUSE WE CELEBRATE...
These paintings were created using semen and acrylics. Just over 4 oz. of semen was used per painting. The red spots on the Scorpion and Biohazard painting are HIV Positive semen and the gold spots on the Red Ribbon painting are HIV Positive. The scorpion, biohazard symbol and red ribbon are common tattoo iconography used by positive gay men in recognition of their status.
I sometimes become contemplative when spending time with friends who are HIV Positive. We’ll be in a store, a restaurant, a movie theatre. My friends like me; are just "regular" people going through their day like everyone else. I often wonder what the grocery checker or bagger would think if they new my friends were positive. What if people in restaurants knew my friends were positive? What if the people they went to church with knew they were positive? These paintings were created, as reminders that we all come in contact with people every day who are HIV Positive and we just don’t know it. Unlike the 70's, 80's and early 90's, being HIV Positive is no longer a life ending proposition. Today, people are living positive, long, healthy lives. They also serve as a reminder of the importance of getting tested and for all of us to know our status.
“How many faggots did it take to make that?” This was a question posted on-line in response to my 2012 ARTPrize entry in Grand Rapids, MI. LIFE POSITIVE; is the series of 3 paintings created using HIV Positive semen from a gay man. It’s a series meant for awareness and education. This painting, ZERO - #1 is a direct response to the opening question. #1 is the beginning of what will hopefully be a body of paintings created with HIV Positive semen from heterosexual men. The world around me still doesn’t seem to understand that HIV is not just a concern for the gay community. So to the person who poses the question of how many faggots it took to create this painting; my answer to you is unequivocally… ZERO.
Conner is currently working on paintings for this newest body of work. To participate in "Zero" you must identify as heterosexual, be HIV Positive, be at least 20 years of age and live in the Continental United States. You must be willing to sign release information giving up ownership of your semen. If you meet this criteria and are interested in having your semen used for the work, please contact Conner to discuss specific details and get questions answered. Participants are financially compensated for their participation.
HIV Positive Semen and Acrylics on Wood - 2' x 3' - 2015
Part of gay culture for me has always been spending time in bookstores, arcades and bathhouses cruising for anonymous sexual encounters. The Cumpig Painter series is the result of several adventures. The semen used in the paintings was collected by performing oral sex acts on anonymous men. The men had no idea their semen would be used in the creation of art. There’s about an ounce of semen in each painting.
Acrylic and Semen on Wood - 11" x 48" - 2013
Acrylic and Semen on Wood - 11" x 48" - 2013
Acrylic and Semen on Wood - 11" x 48" - 2013
Acrylic and Semen on Wood - 11" x 48" - 2013
These images are in no particular order. They are just images that have been created over the years and are here for your enjoyment. Please also see the NSFW tab for more.