Peter Tomka presents his series “Bachelor Suite” at Webber Gallery until February 29, featuring intricate compositions that explore loss and queer identity. Using a creative photographic process, Tomka blurs public and private spaces influenced by noir aesthetics. The work reflects ongoing themes of surveillance and voyeurism in contemporary art.
Peter Tomka’s latest photographic series, “Bachelor Suite,” is now on display at Webber Gallery until February 29. The series, created by the Los Angeles-based artist, mixes original and sourced images to examine themes such as loss, reconstruction, and queer identity, resulting in a fragmented but intimate narrative.
Tomka employs a unique process involving the cropping and repurposing of thousands of photographs—his own and those he has researched. These images are transformed into layered compositions by inverting, enlarging, and projecting onto light-sensitive paper through a creatively constructed glory hole, linked to a mattress. This method reflects Tomka’s ongoing inquiry into queer spaces, dreams, and eroticism, reminiscent of his prior work, “Watering Hole.”
The series is set in Tomka’s Koreatown apartment in the historic Gaylord Apartments, blurring the lines between private and public spaces. Drawing inspiration from Hollywood noir, especially the film “The Black Angel,” the four-part prints convey a crime scene aesthetic that reinforces Tomka’s exploration of surveillance and voyeurism—elements integral to his earlier project, “Studio Encore.”
“Bachelor Suite” showcases Peter Tomka’s innovative approach to photography, focusing on queer identity and themes of loss. The exhibition’s unique techniques and aesthetic draw from historical influences while inviting viewers to consider the intersection of personal and public narratives. It is a compelling exploration that remains on view until February 29 at Webber Gallery.
Original Source: hypebeast.com