Collina Strada Strips Down its Models to Lift Up Others

When I first encountered Mooney’s work on social media, it immediately ignited a fire in me, like many in the public who consume and appreciate his work. While provocative in its presentation, it is brutally honest and most of all, cathartic. It speaks to an internal dialogue that many of us gay black men have, trying to reconcile desire, inherent motivations of self, and socially imposed understandings of blackness, masculinity and acceptable sexuality and sexual expression. I had to buy. I display these pieces of fine art amongst my collection that includes the likes of Kehinde Wiley, Deanna Lawson, Renee Cox, Jacolby Satterwhite, Brandon Cox and other African American contemporary artists. 

Mooney’s work is important and transformative and allows the viewer to reconcile the conflict with self or with the “other” such that we all come to the understanding that the individual should be the determinate of what normal is and what happiness looks like. Mooney’s juxtaposition of these hypersexual male figures that visually transcend sexuality while playing with societal constructs of what homosexuality is perceived as (utilizing soft colors like pinks and baby blues, incorporating materials such as cotton, which at its base is hard and prickly while its flower is soft and malleable, and playing in gender non-conforming styling) allows for a conversation about what it is to be black, what it is to be male and what it is to be homosexual. Mooney’s honest presentation advocates for human need for sex, human need for community, and human need for individuality. 

Essex Hemphill once said, when speaking about the black homosexual’s need to be considered, “I can’t become a whole man simply on what is fed to me: watered down versions of Black life in America. I need the ass-splitting truth to be told, so I will have something pure to emulate, a reason to remain loyal.” Christen Mooney will assure that truth is always told. He will assure that black gay men are not only considered but heard and validated in our love, in our masculinity and most importantly, in our humanity.

Left — DeAngelo wears gloves by RAF SIMONS.

Right — DeAngelo wears durag stylist's own.

Left — DeAngelo wears shirt by WALES BONNER.

Right — DeAngelo wears boots by MAISON MARGIELA from ARTIFACT NEW YORK, harness by LEAK YOUR SEX TAPE, wings and headpiece from TDF COSTUME COLLECTION.

Left — Christen wears cape by AREA, earrings by PANCONESI.

Right — Hillary wears shorts by ECKHAUS LATTA, boots by HELMUT LANG, armbands and matching bracelets by CHRISHABANA, headpiece from TDF COSTUME COLLECTION, additional jewelry Hillary’s own. Morgan wears tunic and shoes by RICK OWENS, headpiece from TDF COSTUME COLLECTION.

Left — Christen wears jacket, shorts and harness by THOM BROWNE, earrings by MARTINE ALI and CHRISHABANA, rings by PANCONESI. Alexis wears cage, socks and shoes by THOM BROWNE, choker by MARTINE ALI, underwear stylist’s own.

Right — Christen wears coat and earrings by BALENCIAGA, gloves by WING + WEFT, shoes Christen’s own, lingerie and bow stylist’s own. Morgan and DeAngelo wear lingerie and bows stylist’s own.

Left — Christen wears dress by GUCCI, pasties, bracelet, headpiece and necklace held as rosary by CHRISHABANA, gloves by WING + WEFT.

Right — Christen wears cape by AREA, earrings by PANCONESI.

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