Sexy Group Crit, NYC Group Crit Spin-off Event, 09.24.2023
FEATURED ARTISTS :
Eva Mueller (b. Bavaria, Germany) is a non-binary photographer, conceptual artist, and curator now based in New York. With a diverse creative journey, they initially studied graphic design in Germany and then honed their fashion and portrait photography skills at the International Center of Photography and Parsons School of Design in New York. Transitioning from fashion and music photography to fine art and portraiture, Mueller delves into fundamental human constructs like gender identity, race, and sexuality. Actively engaged in New York City's dynamic queer art and lifestyle community, Mueller's work often illuminates hidden aspects of nonconforming environments, inviting viewers to reassess their perspectives. They draw inspiration from the German Bauhaus school, infusing subtle wit into their minimalist compositions.


Mueller's art has graced museums and galleries worldwide, and they have received numerous photography awards and nominations, including recognition from prestigious competitions like the Annual Photography Masters Cup, Julia Margaret Cameron Awards, Annual Black & White Spider Awards, International Color Awards, and See|Me. Their notable exhibitions include "GenderFuck" in 2017, hosted by Leslie-Lohman Museum of Art in New York City, "Flowers & Chocolate" in 2018 at Occupation Gallery in Brooklyn, NY, and immersive installations like "Twisted Twins – XXY" in 2019 at Satellite NYC in Brooklyn, NY, and "SPERM" in 2021 at the Art Club in Brooklyn, NY, in collaboration with composer and music producer Man Parrish.


Since 2019, Mueller has been a regular contributor to Pride Art Berlin, a prominent queer art collective, and in 2022, they curated "PRESENT," a group show featuring 34 queer artists under the Pride Art New York umbrella during Pride Month in New York City.


@evamuellerart | www.evamueller-art.com


Joshua Dylan Rubin is a painter living in Brooklyn, NY with an MFA from Pratt Institute, and a BFA from Tufts University/School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston MA. His works are informed by his immediate surroundings, mappings of time and place. Originally raised in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, amongst a tight knit community of artists and forward-thinking characters, his early paintings were conceptual abstractions of that majestic landscape. Now with New York City as home, its mass humanity has similarly inspired his current sociopolitical series of paintings, Soliloquies of the Aggrieved. This evolving body of work is a witnessing and documenting of our contemporary history of racism, sexism, homophobia, xenophobia, and general intolerance, spanning the years from the 9/11 attacks to the malaise of the Trump presidency and our contemporary political discourse.


@joshuadmrubin | www.joshuadylan.net

American/Swedish photographer Jesper Haynes, born in Edinburgh, Scotland in 1962, captures a unique blend of DIY ethos and a Punk Spirit. Notably, his artistic pursuits also extend beyond photography. He is recognized for his self-publishing ventures and his ability to create compelling exhibitions.


His creative journey began at the age of 16 when he crossed paths with none other than Andy Warhol in Stockholm. Encouraged by Warhol himself, Jesper ventured to New York City, where he spent five transformative years working alongside photographer Ralph Gibson, printing in a darkroom.


New York, Jesper's days were immersed in the art of photography, while his nights came alive at iconic clubs like Area. He famously quips about those days, "I never saw daylight." His talent has been enshrined in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art in Stockholm, Sweden.


Today, Jesper splits his time between his New York base and the cities of Bangkok, Paris, and Tokyo. His creative vision has also attracted the attention of esteemed commercial clients, including CHANEL and Maison Michel Paris.


@notafraidoflove | www.jesperhaynes.com



Rebecca Jean-Philippe is a New York-based visual artist hailing from Far Rockaway with a strong foundation in education, community engagement, and a distinct artistic approach. With an A.S. in art from Nassau Community College and a Bachelors and Masters in Fine Arts from CUNY Brooklyn College, Rebecca's artistic journey has been shaped by her education and diverse experiences.


In 2019, Rebecca made a significant impact as a muralist and mural restoration artist with CITYarts, Inc. and Creative Art Works. She also served as a teaching artist's assistant, nurturing young talents while hosting independent paint parties on the side. Her commitment to inclusivity led her to collaborate with students with disabilities through partnerships with the NYC Department of Education, Family Center for Autism, and Community Inclusion Development Alliance.


Rebecca's artistic practice encompasses mixed media, where she skillfully exploits mediums beyond their intended purposes, resulting in a playful and whimsical aesthetic. Currently, she is engrossed in multiple series of works that provoke contemplation on power dynamics, both external and internal, inviting viewers to engage in a dialogue about our complex societal structures.


@rojp_



An award winning graphic designer and painter, Takashi Usui, originally from Japan, currently lives and works in Brooklyn, NY. After graduating from Tama Art University in Tokyo, Japan, he took a role as a graphic designer for Kao Corporation. It was during this time that he visited New York City. His decision to leave everything and move to NYC was made while on that trip. He went home and for the next year, he saved money, then quit his job and moved to New York to pursue his passion as a painter. He left the life he knew in 1988 and has not looked back. In 1994, he entered Pratt Institute in pursuit of his MFA in Painting. While there he began developing a way to express pain and ecstasy of the mental and physical self. These ideas have remained a constant in his works to date. A Brooklynite since moving to the U.S.A, Mr Usui has been here ever since, working on his art, pursuing excellence in creativity.


@takashiusui_creatures | www.takashiusui.com



Please note that this event is intended for mature audiences, as it involves the exploration of themes that may be considered explicit or provocative. We kindly request that all participants approach the subject matter with respect, open dialogue, and a genuine desire to expand their artistic horizons.