Kim Petras and Sam Smith made history at the Grammy Awards as they took home the Best Pop Group/Duo Performance award for their hit “Unholy” from Smith’s album “Gloria.”
Smith graciously allowed Petras to accept the award on their behalf, and in her speech, Petras expressed gratitude for Smith’s support and recognition of the trans women in music who paved the way for her. She specifically honored the late, legendary Grammy-nominated producer and electronic artist SOPHIE, who passed away in 2021.
Petras, who is the first out trans woman to win the award, began her speech by acknowledging Smith’s unwavering support and expressed that they wanted her to accept the award.
Petras also expressed her appreciation for Madonna’s advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights, saying, “I don’t think I could be here without Madonna.”
Petras closed her heartfelt speech by giving credit to her mother, saying, “Growing up near a highway in rural Germany, my mother believed in me as a girl, and I wouldn’t be here without her support and everyone who believed in me up until this point.”
Smith was a multiple Grammy nominee in 2015, picking up four awards, including Best New Artist, Record, and Song of the Year.
"Sam [Smith] graciously wanted me to accept this award, because I'm the first transgender woman to win this award." Watch Kim Petras' acceptance speech from the #Grammys: pic.twitter.com/jQ52Sq0t6f
Petras is a German pop singer and songwriter who first gained recognition for her pop music in the 2010s. She is known for her catchy dance-pop tracks and has released several critically acclaimed EPs and albums. Petras has collaborated with a number of high-profile musicians and producers and has built a dedicated fanbase.
What does it take to unlearn the trauma from our youth? As chronically online as that question may be, it’s an honest one. Even now, many of us look in the mirror and see a face older than we remember, only to wonder why we still cling to the same pain. The truth is time alone isn’t enough to disappear those feelings. To compensate, some of us crowd our minds with as much junk as possible, hoarding distractions like it’s our job. Others are taking a more proactive approach. If you spent your youth ashamed of your fascination with the male form, what better way to combat it than by loving it publicly and unconditionally? Exposing your trauma as an act of love and creative outlet—that may be exhibitionism at its most pure.
Introducing Josh New
Josh New grew up gay in the midwest in the 80s and 90s. His earliest memories surrounding his identity are fearful and filled with the constant reminder that being gay was an “abomination.” Thankfully New spent some time in Japan in the early 2000s. There he learned that not everywhere in the world was like Oklahoma. It would still be some time before New emerged from his shell to become the person he is now. Someone who lives his life unapologetically, filling the world with images of the male form. New’s photography is at once vulnerable and powerful. Everyone is beautiful behind New’s lens, and that is a credit to both the models and the photographer.
We spoke to New about his vision, his battle with censorship, and his advice for men struggling with loving their bodies. Keep reading to learn more about New and to sample a collection of his incredible work. Check out his photography on Instagram and make sure to purchase some prints from his website. Unfortunately, we couldn’t show everything here, but rest assured New has got you covered there.
Gayety: What sort of conversations do you hope your work inspires?
Josh: When I think about what I want my photos to do, it would be to cause someone […] to look at a nude male body and think “Dear God, that is so beautiful…why am I so afraid of finding a naked man attractive?” Any conversation after having that sort of epiphany would definitely be one I hope to inspire.
I truly hope people will let themselves discover and admit the beauty in my models. Even if they honestly aren’t attracted to them. I also hope my images help more Americans see what an uncut penis looks like. And I really hope more gay men will find love and confidence in their bodies and let themselves be photographed.
Gayety: How do you set your work apart from other people who capture the male form?
Josh: I’m not sure about other photographers, but I’m ultimately not there for the photo. If I’m honest with myself I’m just there to have that intimate moment with another man. I will only get a photo as good as the connection I have with that model. Making him smile and helping him relax is so much more rewarding than posing or directing him. Models really want you to tell them what to do though but I won’t. I make them be themselves and like to think a little of that comes through in my work as well.
I seem to capture a sort of languid exhibitionism in men that invites you to look at their bodies without a sense of guilt or shame. They are not trying to have sex with you. They are like a beautiful stag on the periphery of the woods. pausing for a moment to take in the scenery, majestic in form and calm in spirit, unknowingly posing because he is unaware he is even seen.
Gayety: Where do you draw your inspiration from?
Josh: I love to meet new people. When I find someone who is particularly vibrant I will often ask them to let me photograph them. Also, many gay men have extremely negative relationships with their bodies. I love to show them how I see them with my eyes. As the famous Oklahoman Will Rogers said, “I never met a man I didn’t like”. I similarly have never met a man I didn’t want to see naked. I blame this on my strict Baptist upbringing. The only penis I saw until I was in middle school was my own. I was made to be ashamed of the human body. Not to be naked, or be seen naked, or to see naked. So I’m really inspired to fill the internet and the art galleries and our public spaces with images of as many different naked men as I can.
Style-wise I’ve always been a huge fan of Japanese video games and anime, Greek mythology, and American superhero comics. This manifests itself visually in my work a lot because all three tell grand stories about vibrant […] people who do outrageous things. I think I have always subconsciously made my models the heroes of their own adventures. Any of my photos could be a panel straight out of a comic or akin to an ancient Greek sculpture.
Gayety: Censorship on social seems to be a problem that continues to worsen. How, if at all, does this impact your work? Is it on your mind during the entire creative process?
Josh: Censorship is one of the worst barriers to creative thinking and expressive thought. It exists when there is a topic that is problematic in nature. Rather than educating someone on why it could be dangerous, power systems simply deny access to it and make it taboo. The frustration is that in art nudity is not necessarily sexual. In our society, all nudity is potentially sexual and therefore rigidly censored.
I don’t think the threat of censorship keeps me from making anything I want to make. It certainly makes what to do with my work or how to share it extremely problematic. There are several hard drives full of beautiful images that have never been shown to anyone except the model and my close circle of friends. I’ve always known that ultimately it would be up to me to find a way to showcase my work when I was ready and that it wouldn’t be as easy as posting to social media. This year I am re-launching xyexperiment.com to showcase my work and linking it to OnlyFans where I can present everything free from censorship.
Gayety: What would you say to someone who wants to be photographed but feels nervous about showing their body?
Josh: “Have you ever seen me let anyone look bad?” So many people are scared of the camera. They are scared of letting another person be in control of how they look. They are scared to even really look at themselves in the mirror so a camera and a flash are terrifying. But I truly believe everyone is beautiful. Of course, hygiene is always important and a bad attitude can really take a toll on a body. But if you are doing your best and living life then you are beautiful. Add the right lighting and a comfortable atmosphere and before you know it we have a flattering, carefree pic. I promise you will be surprised at how attractive you can be.
Also, why are we doing this? Sometimes a shoot with me can force someone to make and stick to a fitness goal they’ve been putting off. Often it is to document and show off the hard work they have already done. Occasionally it is because I have hounded them so much and so often that they finally let me show them how handsome I see them just as they are. I say if you want to be photographed then do it. The only thing stopping you is fear.
Gayety: How has your work evolved through the years? What do you hope for the future of your art?
Josh: The most noticeable change in my work has been in technical precision. I’ve always wanted to make images that looked like the ones I saw in magazines and I knew early on that I wasn’t going to get that with just a camera. For some of my earliest photos I used some old theatrical stage lights I bought (yes, I was a theatre major) but getting some actual professional strobes and cutting my teeth on Photoshop really set my current style in motion.
Also early on I was just experimenting with light and boys and bodies and so everything else in the photo was unimportant. I used a lot of empty or nondescript backgrounds and I didn’t need to style anything because “just take your shirt off.” I always wonder if these are things that I should pay more attention to so in the near future I want to play around with styling and getting out of the studio more. For the future, future… I really hope that I am able to tap into something culturally significant and beautiful enough to land me in a museum. I really hope I can create at least one thing that becomes an iconic part of the queer culture for future generations to be inspired by.
Gayety: What’s your personal favorite shot, and why?
Josh: If you know me at all you’d probably agree that whichever photo I’m showing you at the time is my absolute favorite. All of them make me smile and all of them remind me of the wonderful experience of taking them. Why pick a favorite when you don’t have to? But there is one of me that I am actually damn proud of. Last year I lost my mother and a few weeks later my partner of 13 years left me. I was devastated and lost about 25 pounds as I grieved both my mother and my marriage side by side. I felt like I had lost everything.
My friends and my therapist really helped me see that what I hadn’t lost was myself, my business, or my photography. I had so much to be proud of and during this wild dark time, I realized, maybe for the first time in my life, just how special and valuable I was on my own. One day soon after I had a long break in my shooting schedule so I locked the doors, took off my clothes, stood naked and proud in front of my own camera, and took what I think might be my actual favorite shot. There is something so liberating about being seen comfortably naked and it wasn’t until I did it for myself that I truly understood the full power of my photography for my models.
Josh: The easiest way of course would be to follow my Instagram and Twitter – @xyexperiment for both. Share me on your feed and encourage your friends to follow me too! Definitely check out my website as well. I also have a series of fine art prints for sale on my website and an OnlyFans that has all of the photos that don’t make it to social media or the website. Which is a lot. It is also the only place you can see my Penis Portrait collection and a cool little self-portrait series I’ve started doing.
My favorite way to support me would be to book a photo session from my website. This year I’ve decided to get out of Tulsa and will be traveling to different cities each month. I’d love for guys (or couples!) to sign up and have me photograph them. I plan to hit some big cities like Dallas, Houston, Chicago, and Atlanta but please reach out if you are interested and maybe we can get a group in your area and make it a weekend. Or if anyone wants to visit Tulsa I’ll take good care of you!
Lastly, never be afraid or hesitant to reach out to me and let me know how my photos have impacted you or inspired you. An artist never really knows how they are impacting the world if they don’t get feedback. I love to hear from people who have seen an image and felt changed by it. Every bit of that helps me keep going and evolving. I can’t wait to hear from you!
Before You Go
If you enjoyed this artwork, make sure to follow Josh New on Instagram and check out the prints on his website. We want to thank Josh for his thoughtful and heartfelt answers to our questions. Please consider supporting queer art like Josh’s in whatever way you can.
Homosexuality has been documented for thousands of years in many different cultures and societies worldwide. Likely, homosexuality has always existed in some form, although how others perceive and act on it varies greatly. (more…)
Prince Harry spills the tea on whether he’s cut or uncut in juicy “Spare” memoir.
In his recently released memoir “Spare,” Prince Harry, 38, addressed a long-standing rumor surrounding him and his brother Prince William — whether or not they are circumcised.
Are the Royals Circumcised?
Circumcision is a common practice in many cultures around the world. It has been a traditional practice among the British Royal Family for generations. It is said that King Edward VII, the grandfather of Queen Elizabeth II, was the first British royal to be circumcised. Since then, it has been a tradition that male members of the Royal Family are circumcised.
In his book, The Duke of Sussex revealed he and William, 40, were circumcised. Harry writes, “There were countless stories in books and papers (even The New York Times) about Willy and me not being circumcised. Mummy had forbidden it, they all said, and while it’s absolutely true that the chance of getting penile frostbite is much greater if you’re not circumcised, all the stories were false. I was snipped as a baby.”
The revelation was made as Harry recounted a frostbite incident during his oldest brother’sbrother’s pre-wedding dinner. On the cold excursion, Harry suffered frostbite on his ears and cheeks but initially left out the fact that his genitals had also been affected by the cold weather. He writes, “Upon arriving home, I’d been horrified to discover that my nether regions were frost nipped as well. And while the ears and cheeks were already healing, the todger wasn’twasn’t. It was becoming more of an issue by the day.”
Harry initially used cream advised by a friend to treat his frostbitten member but later sought professional medical attention. The doctor he consulted stated, “time heals.” Fortunately, Harry healed.
Shutterstock / Lev Radin
What Is Prince Harry’s “Spare” About
The memoir “Spare” hit bookstores on January 10. Prince Harry candidly shares his personal story for the first time. The Royal delves into his journey with unvarnished truth. A landmark publication, the book is packed with understanding, revelation, self-reflection, and valuable insights on the enduring strength of love in overcoming sorrow.
When I say the words Greek or Roman art, it probably conjures up images of fluted columns and muscular statues. Tall and gleaming white in the sunlight. This exact imagery has gone on to inspire fine art all the way from the Renaissance to modern-day Marvel movies. Although we now know the statues and art of the time were likely a lot more colorful than we imagine, this imagery has set itself in stone.
That’s how pervasive art like this can be. Perhaps for a gay like myself, it’s the homoeroticism of the art that stayed with me. For the rest of us, it might be the visceral feeling of seeing the human body rendered through marble and stone. Our very bodies — flesh and bone — petrified forever and set on display. You don’t have to look into antiquity to see it. In fact, this practice is alive and well today on Instagram.
Introducing Phantasma Photography
Christopher Borshowa is a sculptor, but instead of a chisel and a hammer, his tools are a camera and editing software. Although his creations live primarily in data and on paper (more on this later) they are no less striking. They conjure up images of mythological figures, deities, and superheroes. Whatever your vice, Borshowa has the image for you. Like a sculptor, no detail goes unnoticed and no contour goes untouched. Every pixel has its place. The result is a veritable feast for the eyes. Coming from south Saskatchewan, Canada, Borshowa has been exploring the human body and psyche since 2011. His work transports the viewer to another world, bending reality with the click of a shutter. Borshowa has been sharing his work on Instagram for some time, but his latest work is now making the transition to print.
Borshowa’s latest project, a photo book called Body ∙ Flesh ∙ Bone sits at the core of his artistic fingerprint. “My images always start with the human body,” says Borshowa on Instagram. Indeed these latest images are a tour de force in capturing just that. This highly anticipated book will also come on the heels of the 39th annual James Weir People’s Choice Awards, which Borshowa is part of. The public (that includes you) gets the chance to vote for their favorite artwork in the exhibition, which has been anonymously submitted. Head on over to the voting page and see if you can find Phantasma Photography in the lineup.
While we wait for the book to drop, we’ll do whatever we can to give him the accolades he deserves. That means following him on Instagram too. We also had the pleasure of chatting with Borshowa about his work and the aforementioned book. Read on for a deeper understanding of his art and a selection of his latest work.
Gayety: Your references come from all over the art world—from the Renaissance all the way to Marvel. Was this an intentional decision or something that happened organically?
The references I use are truly organic. Since I was a small child, I’ve naturally been drawn to grandiose imagery; movies, music, poetry, art, and even my own imagination. Feeling, hearing, and seeing these larger-than-life moments really propelled my art in that direction. Regardless of the emotion, I want my work to be bold, powerful, and intriguing. My inspirations are vast and ever-growing. I think as any kind of artist, it’s important to soak in as much content as you can. I learn and evolve this way!
Gayety: You’ve touched on censorship in social media with your work, and it seems to be a problem that continues to worsen. How, if at all, does this impact your process of creating art? Is it on your mind during the entire creative process?
Our society is no stranger to censorship. I respect and understand it, however at times, I feel it’s unnecessary and controlling. In my opinion, Instagram is the best form of marketing for any artist or creator. You have an unlimited reach and your work can be seen by millions of people all over the world. However, it is wildly restrictive. In context to the kind of work I produce, Instagram does not differentiate between artistic nude and pornography. It’s deemed equally “offensive” “suggestive” and “violating”. In some instances, this can be offensive to the creator and the subject.
I produce tasteful artistic nudes, not offensive lewd pornography. This is something that plays into my process, however. If my model is fully nude, I’ll either censor their genitals during the session with a prop or in post-production by layering images over top. I respect censoring, but I also want the censoring of my work to make sense with the image. Not just a black circle covering the model, but something that builds and works within the image itself. I treat it as part of artistic expression.
Gayety: There is a noticeable balance between masculinity and femininity in your work. How does this factor into your creative process?
I love this question! To sum it up in one word… contrast! I’m fueled by the dichotomy in art and the beauty of traditionally opposing points. For example, my work often depicts strong, muscular, godlike men curated into soft, beautiful, and elegant atmospheres and poses. For me, this shows a different kind of strength. Strength in vulnerability, strength in passion, strength in death. Men can be physically and visually powerful, and can still exist in softness.
Gayety: What is the greatest or most memorable response you’ve seen to your work?
The greatest response to my art is from other artists. Creators of all kinds who saw my work and were compelled and inspired to create something of their own! I’m honored to display artwork in my home studio from people all over the world. I always try to buy this artwork to show my appreciation. The connection that art births is inspiring. Speaking with people all over the world about my art, shooting with people from all walks of life… the list goes on. Hearing how something I created made someone feel! It truly is mind-blowing.
Gayety: What photo books are currently sitting on your coffee table?
I currently have “Painting With Light” by Mati Gelman on my coffee table. It’s a beautiful and intriguing artistic journey that explores everything from the human psyche to social issues. Mati and his book are strong sources of inspiration for me that I frequently reference. I truly admire and respect him and his work.
Gayety: You’ve got a new book coming out soon, tell us about that!
My new coffee table book titled “Body, Flesh, Bone” is my latest passion project. Releasing later this year, it will be a collection of my strongest work from the last ten years, so I have been diving deep into my work, both past, and present. I’m still in the process of selecting the images, but that’s part of the beauty. Revisiting sessions, connections, and memories, while also celebrating the artist I am today and the current work I produce.
On a more technical side, I take every opportunity I can to print my work. Our world and society are so focused on consuming content electronically, and that’s great, but I also love seeing art, not on a screen. Something physical, something I can hang, or flip through. For me, it’s very nostalgic, just like buying a CD and looking through the album booklet, reading the lyrics, and taking in the art. It’s all sensory, and I’m sure others feel the same!
Before You Leave
As we reach the end of our virtual exhibition, make sure to “exit through the gift shop” by following Phantasma Photography on Instagram. If you haven’t voted for him at the James Weir People’s Choice Awards, please take a moment to do him this simple kindness. Check back here, or on his social, for the release of Body ∙ Flesh ∙ Bone. We know you’re going to love it.
