GIFTS TO FOUNDATION ANNOUNCED

THE DAVID CLASEN MEMORIAL COLLCTION
An important donation of 39 works of erotc art have recently been received by LLGAF.

The collection of David Clasen (1952 - 1995) consists of works by Harry Bush, David Bruffet, Cory, Jim French (Colt and Lugar), Bruce Kamerling, David Martin, Jess Nickolas, OLAF, Jeff Palmer, Ray Shulze and Paul West.

The David Clasen Memorial Collection will go on exhibit in the 1996-97 season. See the Founders Column for further details.

GIFT OF DAVID BALL, BOY WITH RHUBARB, A PAIR OF PHOTOGRAPHS BY ANGUS MCBEAN (1904-1990)
The pair of original prints by the great British theatre photographer are printed on Kodak Royal Bromesko, a silver rich paper long out of production. The model for the 12 x 14" images was a Jamaican dancer, Berto Pasuka, who was the founder and premier danseur of the Ballet Negre. He died in Paris in the 1960s. There are numerous books and monographs concerning McBean's work in circulation and the British government honored him, along with other great British photographers, in the issuance of a series of stamps commemorating their work. He is thought to be the first practitioner of formal surrealism in photography and it is known that the American photographer, George Platt Lynes, was an ardent admierer. Harvard University acquired and cares for the largest single collection of McBean's theatrical work to be found anywhere.

David Ball was in his late teens when he met McBean. They became lovers and life-long companions. Ball worked as "my indispensable" studio assistant throughout McBean's career. They shared homes in London, Debenham (Suffolk) and Marrakech, Morocco, where Ball still lives half of every year with his young friend Ahmed Ait Kaima. Ahmed came into their lives well before McBean's death and was always affectionately referred to as "Baby." Bavid Ball is Angus McBean's sole heir.

BRUCE KAMERLING (1950 - 1995)
LLGAF wishes to express our gratitude to Bruce Kamerling for the generous donation of his painting, In the Studio, to the Foundation. It is a painting of a nude male bodybuilder [probably a self-portrait], oil on canvas, 24.5 x 30." Bruce also made the frame.

Painter, sculptor, art historian and curator, Bruce Kamerling died in his San Diego home on October 17, 1995. He attended San Diego State University. After that he studied independently in Taos, Washington, D.C., Greece and Egypt. Oil painting, sculpture in bronze, wood and stone, drawing techniques from colored pencil to silverpoint were the media he mastered and works were shown at the Old Town Gallery, Robert Miles Parker Studio Gallery, Coronado Art Gallery and Brushworks Gallery in California. Works are in private collections from coast to coast and were featured in The Advocate, Blueboy and the French magazine OFF. He served on various boards and curated shows for the San Diego Historical Society. He was also on the board of the Lesbian and Gay Historical Society of San Diego and published many articles which got him a listing in Who's Who in the West.

_________________________
We also want to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of the financial contributors who have helped make it possible for the Foundation to continue with its mission as a venue for Lesbian and Gay erotic art. Amongst them being: Dr. Glen Boles, Phil Gerrard, David L. Jarrett, David Lanier, Brian D. Mahoney, Richard D. Mohr, Kendall Shaw, Ralph K. Smith, and Kevin R. Tindall. We also appreciate all those anomymous contributors who do not want their name used -- and those blessed souls who deposit money in the donation bowl in the gallery. Thank you all.