Boys! Boys! Boys! announces winner of first queer and gay photography competition
The "home of queer and gay photography" has been accepting entries from around the world.
By Will Stroude
Words: Will Stroude; Images: Aurelio Perplesso by Alessandro Pollio (left) and Jean Paul at Home by Kuba Świetlik
Boys! Boys! Boys! has earned a reputation for displaying the best in queer portraiture over the last few years through online auctions, exhibitions, books and even a dedicated digital platform.
Now, “the home of queer and gay photography” has announced the winner of its first-ever photography competition, which saw budding artists from around the world submit entries celebrating the male form.
The competition, which was judged by Boys! Boys! Boys! and The Little Black Gallery co-founder Ghislain Pascal alongside photographers AdeY and Paul McDonald, saw photographer Alessandro Pollio emerge victorious with their striking entry ‘Aurelio Perplesso’.
Aurelio Perplesso © Alessandro Pollio
The accolade sees Pollio walk away with a prize of $500, representation by The Little Black Gallery, and the opportunity to have his work published in both the new Boys! Boys! Boys! book – set for release in April – and the forthcoming issue of Boys! Boys! Boys! – The Magazine.
© Jean Paul at Home © Kuba Świetlik
Boys! Boys! Boys! also revealed the three other entires which made the final shortlist: Jean Paul at Home by Kuba Świetlik; Flo (5) by Alexander Courtman in collaboration with Florian Noethe; and Ballerino (IV) by David-Simon Dayan.
Flo (5) © Alexander Courtman in collaboration with Florian Noethe
“We didn’t know what to expect when we launched the competition but were overwhelmed with the amount of entries from around the world”, said Ghislain Pascal in a statement.
Ballerino (IV) © David-Simon Dayan
“The standard of work was extremely high and proves that there are many talented queer and gay photographers out there who are completely unrepresented and have no outlet for their work. We are proud to offer a platform for them.”
All the artworks from the Boys! Boys! Boys! photography competition can be viewed and bought online at boysboysboys.org.