You may have seen some work from the acclaimed artist Richard Taddei in the permament collection of the Leslie-Lohman Museum in New York which is a testament to his significance within queer art discourse and beyond.  A prolific artist,  Taddei is renowned for his sensual male nudes, employs a sophisticated command of trompe-l’œil and distorted perspective to tease and captivate, which will be the focus of his new one-man exhibit at the Greg Salvatori Gallery in Provincetown. The Show that will open on June 1st will feature his most recent work alongside selections from his prolific, five-decade career archive.

Salvatori told Queerguru, “I’m fascinated by how savior archetypes exist in the eye of the beholder, from ‘chosen ones’ like Krishna, Jesus, and Harry Potter to feminist trailblazers, strong men in times of political and cultural crises, or healthcare workers during a pandemic. Taddei’s Saviours are heroes, protectors from loneliness and danger. His fragmented images are secrets cautiously disclosed, capturing the struggle between safety and desire so typical of the queer experience distinctive approach has earned him a place in the permanent collection of the Leslie-Lohman

Added to this Taddei has a fascinating history and his early career was marked by influential mentorships and collaborations, notably with Edward Melcarth, who introduced him to the art of murals and trompe- l’œil in 1968 while working on a commission at the Hotel Pierre. Encounters with luminaries like Peggy Guggenheim, Robert Hughes, and Jacqueline Onassis further shaped his trajectory, while friendships with artists like Keith Haring and collectors like Malcolm Forbes amplified his presence in the art world.