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Anthony Iacono's 'Crudités at Sunset' Exhibition at P.P.O.W. Gallery Merges BDSM Fantasies with Mid-Century Aesthetics

exhibition · 2026-04-22

From July 9 to August 7, 2015, P.P.O.W. Gallery in New York City showcased Anthony Iacono's inaugural solo exhibition, titled 'Crudités at Sunset.' The exhibit comprised eighteen collages, each measuring approximately 24 by 19 inches, crafted from painted paper, alongside two videos influenced by Bruce Nauman. Iacono's artwork intertwines BDSM homoerotic motifs with 1950s French poster aesthetics and domestic imagery. His method involves piecing together painted paper fragments to form disjointed male figures and still-life compositions. Key works include 'Fruit,' 'Cantaloupe, Peach and Rug Burn,' 'Hanging Plant,' 'Shrimp Cocktail,' and 'Vase,' employing visual puns to subvert genre norms. The exhibition's name alludes to cocktail snacks and provocative themes in modern painting, with critics recognizing influences from Henri Matisse and Alexi Worth.

Key facts

  • Anthony Iacono's debut solo exhibition 'Crudités at Sunset' ran from July 9 to August 7, 2015
  • The show was held at P.P.O.W. Gallery located at 535 West 22nd Street, 3rd Floor in New York City
  • Eighteen collages of painted paper, each about 24 by 19 inches and made in 2015, were displayed
  • Two short videos influenced by Bruce Nauman accompanied the collages
  • Works combine BDSM homoerotic themes with 1950s French poster graphics and domestic moments
  • Iacono's technique involves cutting painted paper and assembling pieces like jigsaw puzzles
  • Specific works include 'Fruit,' 'Cantaloupe, Peach and Rug Burn,' 'Hanging Plant,' 'Shrimp Cocktail,' and 'Vase'
  • The exhibition title references cocktail hour snacks and transgressive behaviors in painting

Entities

Artists

  • Anthony Iacono
  • Bruce Nauman
  • Mattise
  • David Salle
  • Alexi Worth

Institutions

  • P.P.O.W. Gallery
  • artcritical

Locations

  • New York City
  • United States

Sources