QC Art: Wayne Hollander’s Amazing Paintings of Dead Porn Stars

Artist Wayne Hollander usually paints day glo pictures of old MGM divas such as Joan Crawford, but for his current collection, he’s paid tribute to some of our most beloved, but sadly no longer still with us, gay porn stars.
Wayne says:

In the early ’90s, I worked at World of Video on Perry Street. Every new Jeff Stryker or Ryan Idol release would cause sheer catfights upon the day of release, with their fans rushing in to check out the tapes. It was almost as bad as the day a Madonna CD came out! I was so starstruck by these gods who seemingly had everything–perfect bodies/hair/faces. I remember seeing Max Grand on rollerblades and getting the same butterflies I had when I saw Kathie Lee Gifford!
My curiosity only grew as I started to read of the tragic demise of so many of these men who were so idolized by the gay community. A lot if them led lives only Jackie Collins could have dreamed up. I wanted to do a series of portraits that paid tribute to these beautiful and tragic men.

He continues:

Now, to watch Roman Ragazzi in action, it leaves me sad, wondering, ‘Couldn’t someone have helped him?’ Or to watch Al Parker, it’s like watching a party with the Grim Reaper right outside the door.

I think these stars come and go so quickly today, but back in ’70s, ’80s and ’90s, they really were icons, and their releases were an event (pardon the pun). This is my way of celebrating their beauty and their tragedy, my way of saying thanks to them for giving it their all.

More on some of Wayne’s beauties: Joey Stefano, Erik Rhodes, Wilfried Knight, Arpad Miklos.