Windy City Media Group Frontpage News

THE VOICE OF CHICAGO'S GAY, LESBIAN, BI, TRANS AND QUEER COMMUNITY SINCE 1985

home search facebook twitter join
Gay News Sponsor Windy City Times 2023-12-13
DOWNLOAD ISSUE
Donate

Sponsor
Sponsor
Sponsor

  WINDY CITY TIMES

History revealed: Snapshots with queer photographer A.J. Epstein
by Owen Keehnen
2011-08-10

This article shared 11281 times since Wed Aug 10, 2011
facebook twitter pin it google +1 reddit email


Artist and photojournalist A.J. (Andrew) Epstein has been taking pictures since the late 1960s. Capturing queer life and events in the post-Stonewall era, he worked in Chicago before relocating to Los Angeles but has worked chronicling gay history nationwide.

Epstein photographed Chicago's Gay Pride Parade in the early 1970s, the Gold Coast bar, gay special events, entertainers of all stripes and various happenings in the Windy City. His photography, art and design have appeared in dozens of periodicals from Esquire to Playboy and from Rolling Stone to Vogue. His work has been shown at MOMA in NY, MOMA in SF and numerous galleries nationwide.

Epstein's newest work, Queer Culture, began as a showing at ONE, The National Gay and Lesbian Archives in L.A. It soon became a book as well. This diverse and evocative collection of photographs captures the feel and oftentimes the grit of gay history at its vital stages. In addition, Epstein has a second collection due this summer entitled The Blonde Bomber, a photo chronicle of the rough and wonderful world of women's roller derby.

Recently, Windy City Times had the opportunity to chat with Epstein about his art and was thrilled by some of the great tales this man has to tell. Epstein has been capturing history for decades and in the process has become an integral part of the unfolding of gay history, queer culture and queer art himself.

Windy City Times: Andrew, congratulations on your new your book. Tell me how Queer Culture came about?

A.J. Epstein: I have to give much of the credit to that amazing novelist Ann Bannon, who I met at the Lavender library in Sacramento when I was the art director for the News & Review. I had read her books especially The Beebo Brinker Chronicles. (My best friend's girlfriend was in a band in the 1980s with singer Michael Callen.) They asked me to design a logo for their CD called Be Bo Brinker. I didn't understand the name and Harriet Lyons (one of the original editors of Ms. magazine) made me read Ann's books. I loved the sexy '50s campy covers, but the writing inside was something else, just blew me away. When I heard we lived in the same town I wanted to take a picture of her. I've always loved documenting people that are larger then life. Ann is certainly in that category, although she was surprised that I had read all her books.

We hit it off, but when she asked what the shot was for … I really didn't have a good answer. She asked who I've shot, and all theses important names came out, in my case they were just my friends, the crowd I ran with in the old days. Ann was the one that planted the notion that I was shooting a very important part of lost queer history. I went home and started reediting my images, and the box got bigger and bigger. Since I'm still alive and half the people in the book are dead, I felt it was my responsibility to tell their stories.

Once I did figure out just what I had, and went into my journals and found I had written stories about my friends. I was able to put the images and words together, made a website, and the next day ONE called and offered me a show. I put the book together after I almost died from a botched spinal operation. I was house-bound for over a year, so I printed the images for the show and decided to go the self publishing route.

Funny story, I worked with Bruce Vilanch and then it turned out we both moved to L.A. in the early 1970s, into the same building. I haven't seen him in 30 years, we travel in very different crowds, but one day I had just come from the show and was at the West Hollywood Book Fair. Suddenly Bruce walked past with a very old woman in hand. I had a copy of the book and reintroduced myself, throwing out names of editors we both worked for at the [Chicago] Tribune and finally he remembered me. I showed him the book, and he couldn't stop laughing, and he showed the woman the 30-year-old photo of him waiting for a bus. She started laughing. He then introduced me to his friend Carol Channing, and said he loved it.

WCT: You've been documenting queer culture since 1969, including pictures from Chicago's first pride march. What do you see when you look over these pictures?

AE: What got me was that it was a political statement which they [Pride Parades] sure aren't no more, It's all turned into corporate beer floats. The street drag queens were so strong. Tough dames. They were the most political. The strongest ones are in the book. I wonder what ever became of them. I guess that's what I see or what I think, what happened to them all?

WCT: And what do you hope these photos show the younger generations of queers who weren't around at the time?

AE: That history didn't start with Madonna or Lady Gaga. There is an amazing history that we have had. I remember this cute guy I hired years ago named Josh, and he was going to the Pride Parade but didn't know what Stonewall was, didn't know Harvey Milk, nothing. I made him watch Before Stonewall and Times of Harvey Milk, who was a friend. The latter film got an Oscar for my partner of many years Richard Schmiechen. It amazes me Richard could be forgotten. Richard made some important films, a great one about Evelyn Hooker, but try and find five queers under 40 that know of her, or Richard's films ... or Tom of Finland, Mapplethorpe, Etienne, Cliff Raven, and let us not forget Chicago's Chuck Renslow. A lot of history has passed in front my lens.

WCT: Your photos provide such a great time capsule—capturing things like the 1976 mock slave auction in West Hollywood that was raided by LA police, the protests surrounding the movie Cruising, Chicago's Pride and anti-Anita Bryant rallies and so much more. Did you always feel like you were capturing history?

AE: Yes, always, and much of that came from Richard Schmiechen, he really taught me to see the bigger picture, and always the politics of the times. Richard was much more than the love of my life ... he was a great teacher. I never was an "art" photographer like my buddies Arthur Tress or Duane Michaels, I was more into Margaret Bourke-White, Diane Arbus, or Allen Ginsberg who was a friend. Blake Little (In the Company of Men) the photographer called my images snapshots. I took it the wrong way, until I saw the book of Ginsberg's photos—all the snapshots he had laying around his East Village apartment, in books, on the floor, in the kitchen. I took one look at his book Beat Memories, and had to admit that I did do snapshots of history. Now I take that as a compliment.

WCT: You also have so many great photo portraits of such a diverse crowd—Bette Midler, Grace Jones, Craig Russell, The Cockettes, Tom of Finland, Ann Landers, Leonard Matlovich, The Pointer Sisters, Edie Sedgewick, etc. What is the key to taking a great portrait shot of someone?

AE: With disco diva Grace Jones, I was hired by Renslow to shoot her show, also IML [International Mr. Leather], and Sally Rand. In Chicago Chuck was always hiring me. I was the guy with a camera. My style has changed a bit. Later it became being honest, friendly and having a conversation before pointing a lens in anyone's face. I'm always shooting my friends. I like to have some sort of symbol of their work in the shot, like Ann holding one of her books, a prop but something she is proud of. Then I get that real smile and look in the eyes, it's always in the eyes. It used to be easy, but now there are a few people I want to shoot very badly, but don't know them or anyone that does, so if anyone knows Rachel Maddow, Lt. Dan Choi, Dan Savage, or Levi Kreis, give them my email.

WCT: In Leatherman: The Legend of Chuck Renslow there are some of your great evocative pictures of the era—photos of the Gold Coast, Etienne, and Cliff Raven etc. What drew you more towards the leather extreme as a photographer?

AE: Well Dom Orejudos (Etienne) seduced me off the Belmont El stop on my way to college in the Loop back in the 1960s, the first leather sex I ever had. He was wonderfully twisted. He introduced me to Cliff Raven [the tattoo artist], and I fell hard for the guy. I chased him for almost a year. Cliff was my first older-guy-artist-lover-teacher. He taught me about art, he got me into printmaking, he took me to museums. He was a very knowledgeable guy about art and life. We remained friends for many years.

When Tom [of Finland] and Dom were having the big show at Stompers Gallery in the East Village in the late 1970s, Louie the owner and Mapplethorpe wanted to include my erotic art, but Tom didn't want another gay artist, their [his and Dom's] work was similar enough. Robert found out that Tom had never seen my artwork, and set up a meeting between us at this crazy party. Tom and I sat in the kitchen most of the night. From that point on I was in the show, and Tom would introduce me as his favorite young gay artist, and he meant it. Dom was shocked that I was the same scared goofy guy from the El.

What drew me to the kinky side, well being an alcoholic was sure part of it. I was there but at times, not there. I always got the shot somehow. Joe Gage had to remind me a few years ago that I did the photography for his [porn film] classics, Kansas City Trucking Co, El Paso Wrecking Crew, LA Tool and Die, and Closed Set. I even did the poster for Kansas City Trucking. I was so drunk back then working for Fred Halstead. I got sober 34 years ago. God knows running with Mapplethrope wasn't going to help me get sober. I ran with a crowd that was all crazier then me so no one noticed how I clung to my bottle of Southern Comfort and tab of acid. I loved to shoot under that influence.

WCT: You also are quite renowned as a photographer of the roller-derby world. What about that world drew your interest?

AE: My next book out this summer The Blonde Bomber, and the new resurrected derby, I will be selling and signing it at all the derby games, and possibly a show at Chicago's Aaron Packard Gallery. The Blonde Bomber, Joan Weston, was a close friend and taught me to skate, my grandmother Pearl Kahn worked for Leo Seltzer, the father of roller derby. She managed the concessions for the roller derby for about 20 years, when other kids went to see the Easter Bunny I was at the derby with Pearl. She was a very special grandmother.

WCT: What makes a great photo?

AE: You can have all the equipment, lens, assistants, studio, but if you don't have an eye, it's just toys. As I said earlier, it's always about the eyes.

For more information about the work and life of artist and journalist A.J. Epstein please check out www.ajepstein.com or www.spaghettibrains.com .


This article shared 11281 times since Wed Aug 10, 2011
facebook twitter pin it google +1 reddit email

Out and Aging
Presented By

  ARTICLES YOU MIGHT LIKE

Gay News

Kara Swisher talks truth, power in tech at Chicago Humanities event
2024-03-25
Lesbian author, award-winning journalist and podcast host Kara Swisher spoke about truth and power in the tech industry through the lens of her most recent book, Burn Book: A Tech Love Story, March 21 at First ...


Gay News

THEATER Chicago's City Lit has anxiety on tap with 'Two Hours in a Bar'
2024-03-21
Two Hours in a Bar Waiting for Tina Meyer by Kristine Thatcher with material by Larry Shue Text Me by Kingsley Day (Book, Music and Lyrics). At: City Lit Theater, 1020 W. Bryn Mawr Ave.. Tickets: ...


Gay News

RuPaul finds 'Hidden Meanings' in new memoir
2024-03-18
RuPaul Andre Charles made a rare Chicago appearance for a book tour on March 12 at The Vic Theatre, 3145 N. Sheffield Ave. Presented by National Public Radio station WBEZ 91.5 FM, the talk coincided with ...


Gay News

Chicago History Museum announces "Designing for Change: Chicago Protest Art of the 1960s - 70s exhibition
2024-03-14
--From a press release - CHICAGO (March 14, 2024) ā€” The Chicago History Museum is thrilled to announce its upcoming exhibition, "Designing for Change: Chicago Protest Art of the 1960sā€”70s." Set to open on Saturday, May 18, 2024, this exhibition is ...


Gay News

Women's History Month doesn't do enough to lift up Black lesbians
2024-03-12
Fifty years ago, in 1974, the Combahee River Collective (CRC) was founded in Boston by several lesbian and feminist women of African descent. As a sisterhood, they understood that their acts of protest were shouldered by ...


Gay News

SAVOR Eldridge Williams talks new concepts, Beyonce, making history
2024-03-08
One restaurant would be enough for most people to handle. However, this year Eldridge Williams is opening two new concepts—including one that will be the first Black-owned country-and-western bar in the Midwest. Williams, an ally of ...


Gay News

NATIONAL Altercation, mpox research, Univ. of Fla., George Santos, tech battle
2024-03-08
Video footage uploaded to Facebook showed an altercation between a state trooper and two prominent Philadelphia LGBTQ+ leaders, the Washington Blade reported, republishing an article from Philadelphia Gay News. Celena ...


Gay News

SAVOR Let's Talk Womxn's 'More Than March'; Adobo Grill's tequila dinner
2024-03-06
I was fortunate enough to be invited to a culinary event that celebrates the achievement of women—and, fittingly, it happened during Women's History Month. On March 1, Let's Talk Womxn Chicago held its annual "More Than ...


Gay News

Without compromise: Holly Baggett explores lives of iconoclasts Margaret Anderson and Jane Heap
2024-03-04
Jane Heap (1883-1964) and Margaret Anderson (1886-1973), each of them a native Midwesterner, woman of letters and iconoclast, had a profound influence on literary culture in both America and Europe in the early 20th Century. Heap ...


Gay News

Anti-LGBTQ+ Republican McConnell to step down from leading U.S. Senate
2024-02-29
U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) will step down from Senate leadership in November, having served in that capacity longer than any senator in history, The Advocate noted. McConnell has been a senator since 1985 and has ...


Gay News

There she goes again: Author Alison Cochrun discusses writing journey
2024-02-27
By Carrie Maxwell When Alison Cochrun began writing her first queer romance novel in 2019, she had no idea it would change the course of her entire life. Cochrun, who spent 11 years as a high ...


Gay News

ELECTIONS 2024 Raymond Lopez talks congressional run, Chuy Garcia, migrant crisis
2024-02-26
Chicago Ald. Raymond Lopez has been a member of City Council since 2015, representing the 15th Ward and making history as one of the city's first LGBTQ+ Latine alderman. Now, he is setting his sights on ...


Gay News

Samuel Savoir-Faire Williams's violin stylings help COH mark Black History Month
2024-02-23
As part of its celebration of Black History Month, Center on Halsted, 3656 N. Halsted St., presented a solo jazz performance by violinist Samuel Savoir-Faire Williams on Feb. 21. The two-hour long performance presented a showcase ...


Gay News

Theater Review: Billy Elliot, The Musical
2024-02-19
Book and Lyrics: Lee Hall; Music: Elton John. At: Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd., Aurora Tickets: 630-896-6666 or Paramountaurora.com; $28-$79. Runs through March 24 Billy Elliot: The Musical may nearly be two decades old, but ...


Gay News

SHOWBIZ Raven-Symone, women's sports, Wayne Brady, Jinkx Monsoon, British Vogue
2024-02-09
In celebration of Black History Month, the LA LGBT Center announced that lesbian entertainer Raven-Symone will be presented with the Center's Bayard Rustin Award at its new event, Highly Favored, per a press release. She joins ...


 


Copyright © 2024 Windy City Media Group. All rights reserved.
Reprint by permission only. PDFs for back issues are downloadable from
our online archives.

Return postage must accompany all manuscripts, drawings, and
photographs submitted if they are to be returned, and no
responsibility may be assumed for unsolicited materials.

All rights to letters, art and photos sent to Nightspots
(Chicago GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times (a Chicago
Gay and Lesbian News and Feature Publication) will be treated
as unconditionally assigned for publication purposes and as such,
subject to editing and comment. The opinions expressed by the
columnists, cartoonists, letter writers, and commentators are
their own and do not necessarily reflect the position of Nightspots
(Chicago GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times (a Chicago Gay,
Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender News and Feature Publication).

The appearance of a name, image or photo of a person or group in
Nightspots (Chicago GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times
(a Chicago Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender News and Feature
Publication) does not indicate the sexual orientation of such
individuals or groups. While we encourage readers to support the
advertisers who make this newspaper possible, Nightspots (Chicago
GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times (a Chicago Gay, Lesbian
News and Feature Publication) cannot accept responsibility for
any advertising claims or promotions.

 
 

TRENDINGBREAKINGPHOTOS







Sponsor


 



Donate


About WCMG      Contact Us      Online Front  Page      Windy City  Times      Nightspots
Identity      BLACKlines      En La Vida      Archives      Advanced Search     
Windy City Queercast      Queercast Archives     
Press  Releases      Join WCMG  Email List      Email Blast      Blogs     
Upcoming Events      Todays Events      Ongoing Events      Bar Guide      Community Groups      In Memoriam     
Privacy Policy     

Windy City Media Group publishes Windy City Times,
The Bi-Weekly Voice of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Trans Community.
5315 N. Clark St. #192, Chicago, IL 60640-2113 • PH (773) 871-7610 • FAX (773) 871-7609.