#OscaryiHouBkM

[brooklynmuseum]

Bruce Lee 🤝 Tom of Finland

In the artwork shown here, Oscar yi Hou performs the role of Kato, the sidekick and valet of the protagonist in the 1960s television show “The Green Hornet.” The actor, Bruce Lee, insisted on portraying Kato as a masterful martial artist to counter his subservient role. In homage to Lee, and in reference to the homoerotic art of Tom of Finland, the artist portrays Kato as queerly hypermasculine, destabilizing our perceived notions of masculinity. 

See each of yi Hou’s 11, unique paintings as part of Oscar yi Hou: East of sun, west of moon through September 17. 

🎨 Oscar yi Hou (born Liverpool, UK, 1998). Cowboy Kato Coolie, aka: Bruce’s Bitch, 2021. Oil on canvas, 28 1/8 × 22 in. (71.4 × 55.9 cm). Private collection. © Oscar yi Hou. (Photo: Jason Mandella, courtesy of James Fuentes LLC)

#brooklyn museum #oscar yi hou #oscaryihoubkm #bkmartsofasia #art #exhibition #museum #brooklyn #painting #nyc #New York City

[brooklynmuseum]

Look closely at the whip held here, and you’ll see that it’s actually the subject’s hair pulled back into a single braid. 

A queue is a hairstyle worn by male Chinese immigrants in the nineteenth-century United States. Anti-Chinese sentiments and Western standards associating long hair with women turned the queue into a target: Chinese men were deemed un-American and effeminate, leading to violent, sometimes fatal, attacks. 

Depicting his subject wielding his own queue as a whip, Oscar yi Hou suggests the figure’s empowerment through queer masculinity. The painting cites the homoerotic photography of Bob Mizer and a drawing from our own collection by contemporary artist Wang Fang-yu.

🎨 Oscar yi Hou (born Liverpool, UK, 1998). Coolieisms, aka: Leather Daddy’s Highbinder Odalisque, 2022. Oil, acrylic, gouache on canvas, 64 × 46 in. (162.6 × 116.8 cm). Courtesy of the artist and James Fuentes, New York. © Oscar yi Hou. (Photo: Jason Mandella, courtesy of James Fuentes LLC) → Wang Fang-yu (Chinese, 1913 - 1997). Double Dragons, 1990. Ink on paper, Overall: 40 x 70in. (101.6 x 177.8cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Shao Fang Wang, 1991.248. © artist or artist's estate

#brooklyn museum #brooklyn #museum #art #exhibition #OscaryiHouBkM #Oscar yi Hou #nyc #New York City #painting

[brooklynmuseum]

Look closely… 👀

Can you see Oscar yi Hou’s hands holding the mirror that makes his subject’s reflection visible? This is one manner in which the artist calls attention to the Western ideal of white masculinity, while reiterating a question that echoes throughout the exhibition: who is considered American?

The frame of this mirror is also designed in part after an ornamental object in our collection. Swipe to see the twentieth century, greenish nephrite pendant from our collection that informed the arc-shaped object atop the mirror in yi Hou’s painting.

🔗 https://bit.ly/OscaryiHouBkM

🎨 Oscar yi Hou (born Liverpool, UK, 1998). All American Boyfriend, aka: Gwei Lou, Leng Zai, 2022. Oil, acrylic, gouache, ink on canvas, 52 × 43 in. (132.1 × 109.2 cm). Courtesy of the artist and James Fuentes, New York. © Oscar yi Hou. (Photo: Jason Mandella, courtesy of James Fuentes LLC) → Arc-shaped Pendant (Huang), 20th century. Greenish nephrite, 9 x 1 3/8 x 1/4 in. (22.9 x 3.5 x 0.6 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Hargreaves, 2002.36.1. Creative Commons-BY

#Brooklyn Museum #brooklyn #museum #art #painting #exhibition #Oscar yi Hou #OscaryiHouBkM #pride #pride month #BkMAsianArt #pendant

[brooklynmuseum]

Two powerful pairs stand before you… 🐶🐯

Be it Hollywood film stills, zodiac symbols, or even Chinese and Japanese artworks from our collection, Oscar yi Hou’s process typically involves appropriating and transforming details from a broad range of source material. In the end, his central subjects are part of a collage-like composition of “Oriental” and “Western” imagery—descriptors the artist uses to highlight the perceived foreignness of people from East Asia. 

In yi Hou’s work, shown here, he references the late 18th-early 19th century nephrite jade object from our Asian Art collection. 

🎨 Oscar yi Hou (born Liverpool, UK, 1998). Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, aka: Bushwick Bleeding Hearts Club, 2022. Oil, acrylic, gouache on canvas, 46 × 28 in. (116.8 × 71.1 cm). Courtesy of the artist and James Fuentes, New York. © Oscar yi Hou. (Photo: Jason Mandella, courtesy of James Fuentes LLC)

#Brooklyn Museum #OscaryiHouBkM #Oscar yi Hou #painting #artist #museum #art #dog #tiger #bkmartsofasia #brooklyn #New York City #nyc #zodic signs #jade #nephrite

[brooklynmuseum]

Oscar yi Hou’s artistic process often begins with a reference image. 

In this painting, for example, you can see the artist’s allusions to Wang Wen’s “Mountain Hermitage in Summer” from our Asian Art collection. Swipe to see close-up views of the Ming Dynasty details that yi Hou interpreted as part of his own work for this series, called “Coolieisms,” a title that points to the denigrated status that Americans assigned to East Asian immigrants as early as the nineteenth century.

Visit Oscar yi Hou: East of sun, west of moon through September 17.

🎨 Installation view, Oscar yi Hou: East of sun, west of moon, October 14, 2022 - September 17, 2023. Brooklyn Museum. (Photo: Danny Perez) → Wang Wen (Chinese, 1497-1576). Mountain Hermitage in Summer, 16th century. Hanging scroll, ink on paper, overall: 93 x 30 3/16 in., 35 in. with rollers. Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the C. C. Wang Family Collection, 1997.185.8

#Brooklyn Museum #OscaryiHouBkM #Oscar yi Hou #bkmartsofasia #art #exhibition #brooklyn #museum #painting #New York City #nyc

[brooklynmuseum]

At nearly seven feet tall, this “poem-picture” greets you as you turn the corner to Oscar yi Hou: East of sun, west of moon.

This work portrays a friend of Oscar yi Hou’s, a queer Filipino American, whose recent citizenship is implied through the shadow the subject casts against the backdrop of the American flag. The text on the red stripes appropriates the welcome letter that the subject received from the U.S. president upon naturalization. By replacing the word “America” with “Empire,” the painting alludes to the history of American imperialism and ‘nation-building’ in transpacific regions, which has impacted the sitter’s country of birth.

See this work as part of Oscar yi Hou: East of sun, west of moon on the fourth floor. #OscaryiHouBkM

🎨 Oscar yi Hou (born Liverpool, UK, 1998). Old Gloried Hole, aka: Ends of Empire, 2022. Oil, gouache on canvas, 83 × 44 in. (210.8 × 111.8 cm). Courtesy of the artist and James Fuentes, New York. © Oscar yi Hou. (Photo: Jason Mandella, courtesy of James Fuentes LLC) → Installation view, Oscar yi Hou: East of sun, west of moon, October 14, 2022 - September 17, 2023. Brooklyn Museum. (Photo: Danny Perez)

#Brooklyn Museum #OscaryiHouBkM #Oscar yi Hou #art #painting #museum #exhibition #artist #New York City #nyc #lgbtq+ #asian american #filipino american

[brooklynmuseum]

When school’s out, Summer Camp is in! 😎

Young artists ages 8–10 and 11–13 are in for a real artistic adventure with this summer’s schedule inspired by our exhibitions and collections:

✍️ July 3–7: Sculpture and animation inspired by DEATH TO THE LIVING, Long Live Trash 🎨  July 31–August 4: Mixed media and photography inspired by Africa Fashion

Learn more about Summer Camp, including scholarship opportunities (available on a first-come, first-served basis) and save your spot: https://bit.ly/summercampbkm 

📷 Brooklyn Museum summer camp, July 6, 2021 - August 13, 2021. Education studios. Brooklyn Museum (Photo: Jonathan Dorado)

#Brooklyn Museum #DukeRileyBkM #Pablomatic #OscaryiHouBkM #AfricaFashionBkM #bkmartsofasia #brooklyn #art #museum #BkMEducation

[brooklynmuseum]

Not even a little cloudy weather can rain on our creativity. Get inside and get inspired at the Museum this weekend. ⁠

Share your visit with us using #MyBkM for a chance to be featured on our social media channels! ⁠

📷 @sydneywinnickyhussey, @_soloe__, @_jiancozart, @jessichkayur, @sarareinert1, @paixlom

#Brooklyn Museum #brooklyn #museum #art #exhibition #New York City #nyc #ThierryMuglerBkM #Couturissime #DukeRileyBkM #GreatMigrationBkM #OscaryiHouBkM #weekend

[brooklynmuseum]

Sunshine, sculptures, smiles. ☀️

Soak up the best of Brooklyn this weekend. If you make it to the Museum, share your visit with us using #MyBkM.

📷 @briwrks, @pearlsmyers, @rayofsabibi_, @sirwilliam_h, @trishalvaro, @clariceartist

#Brooklyn Museum #brooklyn #museum #art #event #New York City #nyc #sculpture #Deborah Kass #GreatMigrationBkM #OscaryiHouBkM #DukeRileyBkM

[brooklynmuseum]

It’s not every week that the muse graces the Museum. 

Thank you to Iman and all of our visitors for always showcasing why Brooklyn is the best. 

Share your visit with us using #MyBkM for a chance to be reposted! 

📷 @matthew_yokobosky, @joya.ma, @camrantula, @dija.bh, @sankacoffee, @cheylewinsky, @emma.campp, @chronicles_of_katt

#Brooklyn Museum #brooklyn #museum #art #fashion #design #painting #New York City #nyc #MyBkM #things to do #things to see #ThierryMuglerBkM #Couturissime #OscaryiHouBkM #DukeRileyBkM

[brooklynmuseum]

Wishing you all a restful weekend!

If you’re heading to #FirstSaturdaysBkM later, here are a few tips and tricks:

👉 First Saturday is free, but you must RSVP in advance 👉 Tickets to Thierry Mugler: Couturissime must be purchased separately 👉 Coat check is available on a first-come, first-served basis 👉 Masks are optional in the Museum, but required in the Auditorium

📷 @_joseph_manuel_, @kuswilds, @_vivalinda, @katiesomavia, @gh_hills, @nicolekadourov

#Brooklyn Museum #brooklyn #museum #art #exhibition #New York City #nyc #nyc events #event #FirstSaturdaysBkM #MyBkM #things to see #things to do #ThierryMuglerBkM #Couturissime #OscaryiHouBkM

[brooklynmuseum]

Oscar yi Hou is an artist, a writer, and a self-described “internet kid.” 

At 24 years old, yi Hou is the third winner of the UOVO Prize, bringing 11 of his most recent paintings to Oscar yi Hou: East of sun, west of moon. In it, you’ll find traces of the Liverpool-born artist’s interests, identity, and inspirations. 

His practice combines painting, calligraphy, and poetry. Image and text are both central to the artwork yi Hou produces as language anchors his exploration of what it means to be a child of immigrant Chinese parents as well as part of the East Asian diaspora in the United States. 

In the center of the exhibition, you’ll also find the namesake poem he wrote that alludes to the feeling of being in between places and identities, shown on slide 2.

📷 Hannah Wyatt → Installation view, Oscar yi Hou: East of sun, west of moon, October 14, 2022 - September 17, 2023. Brooklyn Museum. (Photo: Danny Perez)

#Brooklyn Museum #brooklyn #museum #art #exhibition #Oscar yi Hou #OscaryiHouBkM #painting #artist #New York City #nyc #asian american #UOVO Prize

[brooklynmuseum]

Spring into the season of art and culture! 🌷🎨 

Join us in May for a lineup of exciting events featuring captivating exhibitions, engaging talks, and fun activities for all ages.

Get more info and save your spot: https://bit.ly/34QgwKI

#Brooklyn Museum #art #exhibition #things to do #things to see #BkMReads #BkMEducation #event #nyc #New York City #nyc events #family #family fun #OscaryiHouBkM #GreatMigrationBkM #5Under35

[brooklynmuseum]

Now Open… Oscar yi Hou: East of sun, west of moon. 

Chinese zodiac signs, Taoist symbols, cowboy hats, and American flags are amongst some of the artist’s “Chinese cowboy” iconography that you’ll find in the exhibition. Each of which aids in highlighting the limitations of the term “Asian American.”

Throughout his paintings, yi Hou depicts subjects who, like him, are part of creative, queer, Asian, and diasporic communities. This particular painting, entitled “birds of a feather flock together, aka: A New Family Portrait,” inspired the 50-square-foot mural on the façade of UOVO’s facility in Bushwick. Two of the subjects in this work—Oscar yi Hou and Amanda Ba—along with the artist Sasha Gordon, will celebrate the opening of this exhibition through a conversation moderated by curator Eugenie Tsai on October 20 at 7 pm to discuss their creative relationships and their varied approaches to figuration.

Get your tickets to #BkMTalks and learn more about #OscaryiHouBkM: https://bit.ly/34QgwKI

📷 Oscar yi Hou (born Liverpool, UK, 1998). birds of a feather flock together, aka: A New Family Portrait, 2020. Oil on canvas, 61 × 43 in. (154.9 × 109.2 cm). Collection of Joe Mantello and Paul Marlow. © Oscar yi Hou. (Photo: Oscar yi Hou, courtesy of Carl Freedman Gallery) → Mike Vitelli, BFA.com

#Brooklyn Museum #brooklyn #museum #art #Oscar yi Hou #OscaryiHouBkM #event #BkMTalks #nyc events #new york city #artist #queer #exhibition #uovo prize

[brooklynmuseum]

Opening October 14… Oscar yi Hou: East of sun, west of moon. 

Named for the artist’s consideration of the in-betweenness of Asian American identity, this exhibition is a timely, focused feature of eleven recent paintings that primarily highlight queer, Asian diasporic subjects and illuminate the intersectional identities of the artist and his friends.

We are very excited to host yi Hou’s first solo museum exhibition as the winner of the third UOVO Prize, which cites East Asian visual culture and U.S. popular culture to encourage us to question who is considered “American” at this time of social unrest and political polarization. 

Learn more about this upcoming exhibition, which will be on view through September 17, 2023. The UOVO Prize is made possible by UOVO. 

🔗 https://bit.ly/OscaryiHouBkM

🎨 Oscar yi Hou (born Liverpool, UK, 1998). Coolieisms, aka: Sly Son Goku turns 23, 2021. Oil on canvas, 30 × 24 in. (76.2 × 61 cm). Courtesy of James Fuentes LLC. © Oscar yi Hou. (Photo: Jason Mandella, courtesy of James Fuentes LLC)

#Brooklyn Museum #brooklyn #museum #art #exhibition #Oscar yi Hou #OscaryiHouBkM #New York City #nyc #asian diaspora #queer #identity #representation

[brooklynmuseum]

A well-curated weekend is a work of art. Here’s some proof.

🔗 https://bit.ly/34QgwKI

📷 @extraordinarie1, @dominic_pugliese, @ysl.carlos, @kamari.iii, @cesarlemonier, @queen_saline, @nouveaubeaut, @ale___alehandro, @alexmayhughes, @chudorov

#Brooklyn Museum #brooklyn #museum #art #exhibition #nyc #New York City #fashion #photography #VirgilAblohBkM #JimmyDeSanaBkM #DukeRileyBkM #OscaryiHouBkM #Couturissime #ThierryMuglerBkM #MonaChalabiBkM #MyBkM