Cruising in the Shadows Explores the Secret Histories of LGBTQ+ Public Desire Through Art and Archival Materials

Curated by Matthew Terrell
On view: June 6–July 26, 2025
Opening Reception: Fri, Jun 6, 6:00–8:00 pm

 Cruising in the Shadows is a bold new exhibition examining the history of queer cruising in New York City. Through a dynamic mix of fine art and archival materials, the exhibition explores how LGBTQ+ people sought connection, expressed desire, and built community in public spaces—often at great personal risk.

At the heart of the exhibition are never-before-seen photographs by Arthur Tress, who captured men cruising in NYC throughout the 1960s and 1970s. At the time, these images were considered too scandalous for public display. Now, they serve as a rare visual record of an era when queer people sought connection in the shadows, defying social stigma and legal persecution.

Also featured is the work of Robert Sherer, who’s colorful, comic-inspired illustrations reframe queer sexual exploration as a natural part of the American experience. Sherer’s playful yet subversive depictions of covert queer desire celebrate the resilience and joy found in LGBTQ+ spaces.

Historical materials deepen the narrative. Archival content from the NYC LGBT Historic Sites Project documents the transformation of cruising spots across decades, including Forest Hills Park, a Queens site destroyed by vigilantes just days before the Stonewall Riots. A selection from Bob Damron’s Address Book—the first printed guide to gay cruising locations—reveals the coded networks queer people relied on during times of criminalization. The exhibition also explores cultural codes like the Hanky Code, used to discreetly communicate sexual interests, and confronts the devastating toll of the AIDS crisis. A 12′ x 12′ panel from the AIDS Memorial Quilt honors patrons of The Saint, a legendary nightclub that became a site for both joy and HIV education.

As shifting attitudes and digital culture reshape queer intimacy, Cruising in the Shadows preserves the memory of those who found freedom, danger, and connection in public view.

Event Details
Exhibition: Cruising in the Shadows
Dates: June 6–July 26, 2025
Location: apexart; 291 Church Street, New York City
Admission: Free
More Information: https://apexart.org/terrell2.php

For press inquiries, interviews, or additional materials, please contact:
Matthew Terrell, Curator – mterre20@kennesaw.edu
Maryam Ghoreishi, Director of Operations at apexart – maryam.ghoreishi@apexart.org

Cruising in the Shadows was selected through apexart’s Open Call. For more information and images, visit https://apexart.org/terrell2.php