Circus of Books in West Hollywood has announced that they will be having an exhibit and an online auction of pieces from The Stompers’ NYC Gallery – Louis Weingarden Collection.
November 1 – December 15, 2023
Online Auction December 1 – 15, 2023
This is the first time since 1989 that the original artwork has been shown.
Stompers was a gallery run by Louis Weingarden in downtown New York City from 1979 to 1989. It was a decisive arena for artistic exposure for Tom of Finland and the whole community of artists around him. Stompers was one of the first addresses (259 W. 4th) in town which exhibited artwork of erotic subject matter. In addition to Tom of Finland Stompers also showed the work of influential artists of its time including: Etienne, Rex, Domino, the Hun, and countless others.
Weingarden was an important figure in the downtown art scene and a composer who had his music played by the New York Philharmonic. Tragically the gallery closed after both Louis and his partner died from AIDS.
After his death in 1989, the collection was stored and has not been seen again until this past summer, 34 years later.
The exhibit and the auction at Circus Books include rare, sought after Tom of Finland prints, along with pieces from Chuck Arnett, Paul Cadmus, Jim French, Domino, Rex, Blade, Brick, A Jay, The Hun, Etienne, Martin of Holland, AJ Epstein, Sean, Bob Mizer, Bruce of LA, AMG, Target, Falcon, and Colt Studios artists Valentine and Jakal. In addition, there are also several other pieces by artists that are unknown or cannot be traced to a specific person that come from a time when it was illegal to sell, transport, or own Gay erotica in many states in the United States.
Circus of Books is located at 8230 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood, CA. The exhibit runs November 1- December 15. The online-only auction will be live on circusofbooks.com with bidding starting December 1 and closing on December 15, 2023 – it can be accessed at circusofbooks.com/collections/auction.
For more information contact: support@c1r.com
“On a good night, we make love with the music of our bodies and minds. We overcome obstructions of body and mind, and merge into the great chord where there is total union. On a good night, I am not afraid.” – Louie Weingarden
