Art Hag

After the demise of a nine-year relationship, photographer John Arsenault left New York City for Provincetown, Massachusetts "for a year of self-discovery and artistic growth." A Ghost is Occupying My Heart, Arsenault's third show at ClampArt, exhibits the final product of the artist's time spent in P-town. Originally from Massachusetts, Arsenault lived in NYC for 11 years before returning to his home state to "heal and intensely concentrate on his photography," (from the show's press release). Consisting of self-portraits, nudes, landscapes, and scenes of quirky interiors, the photos on display are deeply personal and emotional. As the artist states, "Inspired by a desire to heal a broken heart and to find myself, I decided to strip myself down emotionally, often literally nude, in order to create a body of work that revealed my search and my pain as honestly as I could."

Documenting a vulnerable stage in his life, Arsenault's contemplative images bravely give viewers an honest and intimate peek inside the artist's world and his muse, Provincetown. Now based in Los Angeles, Arsenault is hopefully shooting and documenting the next chapter of his life. Learn more at clampart.com. Through February 5th.

Proceeds from A Ghost is Occupying My Heart will be donated to The Trevor Project, a national organization focused on crisis and suicide prevention for LGBTQ youth. Learn more at thetrevorproject.org. Also, Arsenault collaborated with long-time friend Andy Salzer, the Creative Director of menswear brand Yoko Devereaux in creating the gentle a men, a series of four t-shirts featuring graphics inspired by Arsenault's work in A Ghost is Occupying My Heart. The tees address the difficulties of identifying as gay, particularly for teens and young adults. All proceeds from the sales of the t-shirts will also go to The Trevor Project. Go to Yokodevereaux.com and buy some shirts and support an important cause.

NOTE: I was friends with John years and years ago when the two of us still lived in Boston. He is easily one of the funnest and loveliest people I've known—he's also one of the most fearless and toughest mother f-ers I've ever met (it must be the Boston in him). These traits, along with his age-defying good looks, exuberant aura, and zest for life are evident in his evocative and memorable photographs.

Left to right: Barely Breathing, Provincetown, Mass, 2009, Your Ignorance Could Smother the World, Provincetown, Mass, 2008