John Wood Exhibits Glasgow Gay Underground Photography

John Wood, a 79-year-old former telecoms engineer, is presenting his first solo exhibition at Celine gallery in Glasgow, featuring intimate photographs of the city's gay underground scene. The collection spans two decades, from 1982 to 2002, and captures male subjects often adorned in leather attire, a style that has drawn comparisons to photographers like Robert Mapplethorpe and the aesthetic of Tom of Finland. However, Wood's work was created in relative secrecy within a converted attic in Glasgow, unknown to the public for decades.

Wood began his photographic journey in his teenage years, self-taught through studying images in magazines. His exhibition includes a diverse range of portraits, such as 'Cal,' a 1982 Polaroid of a nude man, and 'June 2002,' a gelatin silver print of a man in a leather waistcoat and military-style cap. These images offer a glimpse into a private world, documenting a subculture that was not widely visible at the time.

The exhibition highlights Wood's dedication to his craft over many years, with his work finally receiving public recognition. The intimate and erotic nature of his portraits, often featuring leather elements, contrasts with the everyday life he led as an engineer, revealing a hidden artistic dimension to his identity. The show provides a unique historical and cultural record of Glasgow's LGBTQ+ community during the late 20th century.