Remembrance: Artist, gay activist Larry Jens Anderson founded TABOO Collective

Larry Jens Anderson was an artist, educator, activist, curator and someone I wish I had met long before our brief encounter at the Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia (MOCA GA). Larry ,who died on August 12, 2021, was the founding member and curator of the TABOO artist collective, which consisted primarily of Larry and three other gay Atlanta artists: Michael Venezia (1954-2000), King Thackston (1948-2004) and David Fraley (1952-1999). Known for its edgy shows and happenings, the collective was launched in 1988 at the height of the AIDS epidemic. Recurring themes in Larry’s work include gender, sexual identity, human rights, politics, religion and mortality expressed through a variety of media including sculpture, painting, drawing and video. A few of his works are currently on display at MOCA GA.

In 2016, MOCA GA prioritized processing and making accessible online the TABOO archives, which Larry had donated to us. He had safeguarded the files on behalf of the collective and I was delighted when one of my first tasks as archivist allowed me to comb through all the TABOO exhibition planning materials, correspondence, sketches, press, photographs, props, t-shirts and associated fundraising adventures from TABOO’s heyday (1988-1999).

The TABOO collective aspired to undermine insular beliefs about art and culture, and provoke dialogue about these “taboo” subjects in the politically correct and respectful populace of the time. According to Larry: “We always felt that we could put anything in our shows because the word taboo gave us absolute license to go anywhere.”

As a result, the collective created humorous, sardonic and quite often outrageous exhibitions and projects. Larry shared wonderful stories about his work with TABOO, and throughout my examination of these materials I could always clearly hear his voice and humor in my head.

My favorite discoveries from the archives included images and props from Johnny Detroit’s Brunch — a spoof on Judy Chicago’s famous Dinner Party — and a bowling challenge to the High Museum staff in which the stakes included, if they won, “handing over your Monet for modification.” I found a photo from the event – Larry with Michael, King and David. TABOO lost the tournament unfortunately, or maybe fortunately.

In 2005 and 2008, MOCA GA worked with Larry to celebrate the history of the collective through the historic exhibitions: The Last TABOO (2005) and TABOO Remembered  (2008). MOCA GA is honored to have several of Larry’s artworks within the permanent collection illuminating his ever-present wit as well as his artistic acumen, ranging in techniques from acrylic painting to mixed media drawings, from embroidered textile to printmaking.

There is another box of records which I have not yet had a chance to process for the public. It includes about 18 sketchbooks dating back to 1981. In my interview notes I have written: “Larry Anderson is a prolific writer and he refers to his sketchbooks as ‘notebooks,’ since there is often more writing than sketching.” The sketchbooks often correspond to teaching trips, and show the amalgamation of Larry as artist, Larry as curator and Larry as teacher.

There are teaching folders including several from his history of printmaking class taught from 1982-2006 at the Atlanta College of Art. This was one of many courses on printmaking and drawing he taught over a 24-year period at the college.

Larry spent 12 hours preparing for each lecture. In an advanced printmaking studio design project, he assigned a project to ensure artists had some practical idea of the costs, management and choices involved when it came time for them to set up their own print studios upon completing their education. It was a studio course, but he wanted to make sure his students had the tools needed for success.

Larry exhibited artwork in Hong Kong, Germany, Belgium, Japan, France, Italy, Australia, New York, Chicago, Los Angeles and all over the USA. His work can be found in the High Museum of Art, MOCA GA, the Mint Museum, Wichita Art Museum and the Museum of Modern Art, as well as many corporate and private collections. Larry grew up in Kansas, earned a Master’s in Visual Art from Georgia State University in 1982 and spent more than 40 years in Atlanta. He will always be remembered as an asset to the Georgia visual arts community, and he will be missed.

Stacey Savatsky is collections and exhibitions manager, and archivist, at MOCA GA.