RICK CASTRO: FETISH KING
selected seminal photographs 1986-2019
presented by: Tom of Finland Foundation
dates: April 6th- April 27th, 2019
reception: Saturday, April 6th- 6pm- 9pm
Tom of Finland Foundation
1421 Laveta Terrace
Los Angeles, CA 90026
213 250-1685
On view through April 27th, by appointment
curated by Ruben Esparza
The artist’s sex positive imagery is darkly erotic, elegant, and at times sinister.
A powerful figure that emerged in the Los Angeles underground during the late 80’s,
Rick Castro was dubbed the FETISH KING by all that know him.
His photographs are characterized by potent and visceral tableaux, tinged with sadomasochism, leather and sexual pleasure.
From the artist’s fetishizing of Tony Ward in the 80’s, to capturing moments, places and the people of the underground scene in Los Angeles nightlife in the 90’s and 00’s.
He continues his pictorial career and fascination with lust, desire and kink, producing elegant portraiture of celebrated artists and the demi-monde.
Durk Dehner founder of the Tom of Finland Foundation was one of his first collectors. The Tom House is where Mr. Castro hosts his weekly tea salon and monthly book club.
Born in Los Angeles in 1958, Rick began his early career working as a fashion stylist and costume designer. Castro first became a free-lance photographer in 1988 with his work appearing in Drummer magazine and The Advocate
His first solo exhibition was at Different Light Bookstore in Silverlake, CA, in 1988.
Over the decades he has had numerous international exhibitions.
Notable films includes his short films of hustler interviews in 1994 that inspired Bruce LaBruce to make the film Hustler White,1996, in which Rick was co-director/writer.
The film garnered great success internationally and is listed by the Los Angeles Times in the top 100 underground films of the 20th century. Rick also directed a documentary for MTV called Plushies & Furries in 2001, a film which focused on the furry communities.
Over his 30 plus career, Rick Castro has photographed producer Alan Poul,
porn star Peter Berlin, author Gore Vidal, director Kenneth Anger,
performance artist Ron Athey, and the 14th Dalai Lama.
Castro has created editorial photos for Christian Dior Homme, Cartier jewelry and designer Rick Owens realizing photographs that are notably more than fashion.
His films are archived by UCLA Legacy Projects, his books and photographs are archived by the Alfred Kinsey Institute, and Tom of Finland Foundation.
He continues his art practice, and commissioned photo shoots.
I consider myself a fetish artist.
Be it thru photography, film, writing & blogging; this is who I am.
I understand the term fetish to be broad, more so than most people are aware,
or would like to admit. Fetishistic desire reaches all aspects of life.
FETISH; a form of sexual, (not exclusively) desire in which gratification is linked to a particular object, item of clothing, part of the body, person, practice, etc.
fixation-obsession- compulsion- mania- a driving force.
An object thought to have magical powers. Something that is empowered by something else.
The late 60s thru 70s began the sexual revolution, perhaps ending in the 80s with AIDS.
The 90s, my most prolific time, marked the beginning of the fetish revolution.
Early 21st century is all about fetish.
This is my time. I was once labeled the “FETISH KING,” by the press. i accept the title.
This exhibition is a comprehensive journey of my photography- 1986 thru 2019.
Besides the themes of BDSM, lust & desire, I am presenting an in-your-face- pushback to American censorship. If we accept these restrictions as a community, we’re doomed.
FUCK CENSORSHIP
RICK CASTRO- 3/6/2019
