Going Places

He smashes stereotypes of the Asian math nerd at the same time he perpetuates 1970s images of gay masculinity as single-mindedly as Tom of Finland, minus the depiction of sex acts.  He paints as well as Lucien Freud and embellishes his work with decorative flourishes like Kehinde Wiley.  What's not to love about Oscar yi Hou?  If Andy were still alive, they'd probably be collaborating!

"Coolieisms, aka: Leather Daddy's Highbinder Odalisque" (2022)

I stumbled into "East of sun, west of moon," his small show at the Brooklyn Museum after seeing Couturissime. Thierry Mugler probably would have liked yi Hou, too.  "Don't fuck with me racist Asian bashers, or I'll defend myself with the pick axe that I used to build your transcontinental railroad."

"Coolieisms, aka: Gold Mountain Cruiser (The Mineshaft's after-hours trade)" (2022)

Here's a self portrait of the Brooklyn hipster, born in Liverpool in 1998.  The  Brooklyn Museum gave him a solo show when he won the UOVO Prize.

"Coolieisms, aka: Sly Son Goku turns 23" (2022)

A millennial Marlboro man, minus the porn stache and cigarette!  Let's meet on Brokeback Mountain.

"All American Boyfriend, aka: Gwei Lou, Leng Zai" (2022)

At the risk of being accused of believing that all gay Asian American men paint alike, yi Hou's work also reminds me a little bit of Martin Wong, whose developing talent was cut short by HIV.

"Old Gloried Hole, aka: Ends of Empire" (2022)

"Sayonara, Suzie Wongs, aka: Out the Opium Den" (2022)

Take care of yourself, fella.  You've got a brilliant career ahead of you.