Rex (artist)

Rex, the enigmatic artist known for his unapologetic exploration of masculinity and homoeroticism, left an indelible mark on queer art. His works, much censored during his lifetime, challenged societal norms while celebrating the raw, unfiltered beauty of the male form. A contemporary and acquaintance of Robert Mapplethorpe, Rex shared a common ethos of pushing boundaries through art. While Mapplethorpe used photography to evoke a stark, powerful intimacy, Rex’s medium of choice was his evocative linework and dramatic use of shadow. Rex once remarked that his drawings “defined who I became” and that there were “no other ‘truths’ out there,” suggesting his art was both deeply personal and universal in its search for meaning. Rex’s life was shrouded in mystery, but his legacy is unmistakable. After spending much of his later years in Amsterdam, he passed away there in late March 2024, leaving behind a powerful legacy of art that continues to inspire and provoke. More about the Artist Rex