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Born in 1961 in Hackensack, New Jersey. Richard Vechi became interested in Art and Photography at an early age. Mr. Vechi began his study of art at Hackensack High School, where he became an art major. Graduating in 1979, Richard went on to study Graphic Design, Photography and Art Education at William Paterson University of New Jersey. He graduated in 1988, earning a Teacher of Art Certification and a BFA in Graphic Design.
Born in 1961 in Hackensack, New Jersey. Richard Vechi became interested in Art and Photography at an early age. Mr. Vechi began his study of art at Hackensack High School, where he became an art major. Graduating in 1979, Richard went on to study Graphic Design, Photography and Art Education at William Paterson University of New Jersey. He graduated in 1988, earning a Teacher of Art Certification and a BFA in Graphic Design.
Richard continued with his graduate studies in Photography at Pratt Institute, New York City where he studied under Phil Perkis, Arthur Tress, and David Horton. Not feeling challenged enough, Richard then transferred to the School of Visual Arts, in New York City, where he earned an MFA degree in photography and related media. There he studied under some of the most notable photographers in the world including: Duane Michals, Jan Groover, Sandy Skougland, Sandy Feldman, Michael Spano, and Nan Golden. It was under the intense scrutiny of such notable photographers that he began his work with male erotica; combining both video and still photography.
In 1992 Richard began working with the theme of Catholicism and suppressed male sexuality. He directed and edited his fist feature length video in 1993 along with his first video installation at Gallery 148 in Tribeca, New York City. Richard has had numerous shows, and continues to work in the genres of self-portrait, investigating the subject matter of suppressed male sexuality and the conflicts with religion. He is presently working on a series of photographs depicting and investigating gay domestic life life and the struggle, isolation, and stigma, associated with HIV/AIDS.
Press
Richard Vechi: Different Blessing, by Lester Strong, A&U magazine, March 12, 2015
As a gay man I have known the Stigma, darkness, isolation, and loneliness of having to come out to an often hostile world, and the sometimes difficult struggle to achieve emotional intimacy with other men in a gay male community that can seem dominated by the eternal search for the next lay. As a gay man and artist living with the stigma that AIDS/HIV brings in its wake, not only from the general public, but more so from the gay male community. Alienated, I have found myself drawn to places that evoke isolation and loneliness: old diners, boardwalks closed for the winter, the desert Southwest of the United States, the craggy mountains and rugged landscapes one can find in parts of Europe, I also find solitude in the forgotten letters, cards and love poems of lost loves. My new work encompasses these themes, using text and juxtaposing images. Through my artwork I try to communicate and bring to light the loneliness, isolation, and darkness of the stigma we all feel, especially those in the gay community who have HIV/AIDS and struggle daily to live a normal life. The realm of emotion and the exploration of psychology have always been a driving force fueling my work as an artist. These emotions exist via an incredible journey of certain internal struggles and external experiences I have encountered. To express these emotions visually allows me the opportunity of a fuller understanding of myself along with a clearer interpretation of the world in which I live, and it also allows me the opportunity to be a voice for those in the gay positive community who struggle with the same issues.
Born: 1961, Hackensack, New Jersey Resides: So. Hackensack, New Jersey and NYC
Education: 1993 - MFA, School of Visual Arts, New York City 1989 - Pratt Institute, New York City 1988 - BFA, William Paterson University, New Jersey
Exhibitions: 2015 - "Distant Spaces", BCP Theater Gallery, NJ. 2014 - Leslie-Lohman Museum, NYC. 2013 - Online Web Gallery, www.edgenewyork.com, “Portraits of hope”. 2013 - Leslie-Lohman Museum of Gay and Lesbian Art, New York City. 2005 - Clamp Art Gallery, "Self Exposure", New York City. 1998 - Leslie-Lohman Gay Art Foundation, New York City 1997 - Wessel O'Connor Gallery, New York City 1996 - Leslie-Lohman Gay Art Foundation, New York City 1995 - Leslie-Lohman Gay Art Foundation, New York City 1994 - Leslie-Lohman Gay Art Foundation, New York City 1994 -Ward-Nass Gallery, New York City 1994 - Peter Madero Gallery, New York City 1993 - Alternative Museum, New York City 1993 - Gallery 148, New York City 1992 - Ben Shawn Gallery, New Jersey 1991 - Ben Shawn Gallery, New Jersey 1991 - The Lime Light, New York City 1990 - The Lime Light, New York City 1989 - Ringwood Manor Gallery, New Jersey
Bibliography: 1/2015 BCP Playbill. 3/2015 - A & U Magazine, Lester Strong. 6/2014 - Next Magazine. 2005 - Self Exposure, Reed Massengill. 1998 - HXMagazine, Mathew Bank. 1996 - Lesbian & Gay New York (LGNY), Lester Strong. 1995 - Metroline, Lester Strong. 1985 - Photographers Forum Magazine
Collections: S. Danis Collections, Montreal Canada, Leslie-Lohman Museum of Gay and Lesbian Art, New York City