Key artists showcased in the gallery's exhibitions included historical figures: F. Holland Day, Willem von Gloeden, Galdi, Pulchow, Tom of Finland, Bob Mizer, (AMG) Mel Roberts, Herb Ritts, Joel-Peter Witkin, Peter Berlin, Harry Bush, Campion Studios, Colt Studios, Tony Sansone by Edwin Townsen, Edward Lucie-Smith, Roy Dean, Karoll, Bud Larsen, Milo, Lon of New York, Ed McAndrews, Sierra Domino, George Quantaince, Bette Page, Elmer Batters, Marques de Sade, Pier Paolo Pasolini, Fakir Musafar.
Contemporary Artists: Dave Naz, Ron Athey, Tony Ward, Robert Hill, Mr. Drake, Lewd Monsterbait, Shepard Fairey, (donated work for a fundraiser) Carlos Batts, Robert Fontanelli, Cathrine Opie, Sheree Rose, Domasan, Greg Day, John Dugdale, Miguel Angel Reyes, Graham David Smith, Brett Barris, Scott Seidman, Sean Platter, HR Giger, Rick Owens, John Palatinus, Palanca, Teddy of Paris, Reed Massingill, Marsorama, AJ Epstein, Buck Angel, Robert Mappelthorpe, Christopher Lissner, Steve Diet Goedde, Hector Silva, Michael McChaud, Seven Meisel, Matthias Herrmann and Rick Castro.
Regular performance art by artists in residence: Keith Hunter and Bastian Damascus, and a special one-time-only performance by The Living Theatre.
Exhibitions included: Erotic Pioneers, (November, 2005), Modern Heretics, The Bondage Show: Three Generations of Bondage, Clownie, Baby, Amputee, Fools for Feet, The Blacks, S+M: An Exploration of Sadomasochistic Art (February, 2008), Tomorrow's Man, ( February 2010) Black & White Pride 2014: Sensual Interracial Relations (July 2014), benefit to defeat Prop 8, (October 2008), CLUB F*CK! 20 Year Reunion, (August 2009) and Fey Way: Robert Opel, a showing of the Fey Way Gallery collection from 1978.
Fey Way Studios was the impetus for Rick to open a gallery. Rick’s last exhibition was America Matters, a reaction to the 1st election of Donald Trump which closed on Jan 1st, 2017.
ANTEBELLUM GALLERY, 1643 N. Las Palmas Ave, Hollywood, CA.
The storefront was situated in a historic 1922 building as part of the shops for The Egyptian Theatre. The shop space was lesbian/feminist bookshop during the 60’s then formerly housed Baroque Books, (1972-1998) owned by Red Stodoski; book dealer for Charles Bukowski and Henry Miller. Rick allowed a bronze plaque placed to the left of the front entrance on his 95th birthday in May 2011 to honor his memory.
Antebellum showcased transgressive decadent art that explored fetish culture queer identity and themes of lust longing and rage.
Rick Castro called his gallery space, ANTEBELLUM. Most assumed this was reference to the American South pre civil war, but Rick understood the Latin term referred to any pre-war era. Ante=before, bellum=war. The early 2000’s were fraught with tensions between political and moral parties in America. GLBTQ communities were fast gaining their long deserved civil rights, which infuriated the religions right. Black & brown people broke the even longer over due barrier by electing the 1st black president. This drove the white supremacy of America crazy and brought out blatant racism which had been kept undercover in politics for many years, but always boiled just under the surface. The sweeping election of a clear racist on Nov 6, 2016 was the powder keg that was ignited.
Rick saw the writings on the wall understanding the country was no longer Antebellum, we were now in BELLUM. Which brings us to where we are now.
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