Jonathan Yeo: Porn as Art

Lazarides galleries are known for their love of provocateurs, and there’s no better way to describe the work of Jonathan Yeo, who’s show “Porn in the USA” opened there on Friday.

Yeo shot to the spotlight in 2007 after the White House reneged on a commissioned piece for George W. Bush, prompting the artist to go ahead with the piece in the form of a collage using pornographic images. The piece revolutionized the artist’s style and his Porn in the USA show showcases this growth.

We hit the exhibit over the weekend, taking in the figure studies, portraits and a gorgeous wall paper design that turns vulvas into leaves, completely changing the way that we view pornography.

We love Freud’s cigar — it, as well as his entire hand, is made of penises. Sometimes a cigar is… oh, it’s too easy.