Romancero Books presents the launch of Phil Douglas's debut book - Remote, published by Bona Varda
A conversation with artist Phil Douglas and Maxwell Zinkievich from Bob Mizer Foundation
Phil Douglas (b. 1998) is an emerging contemporary queer figurative artist living in London. He predominantly works in pencil from life, drawing models in his home studio in Hampstead. While his work echoes classical academic life studies, it is more than a mere homage—he transcends tradition with an intimate informality, celebrating the sensitivity of the often-taboo male nude.
Bona Varda is the brainchild of Scottish- born photographer David McLean, who started it in 2021 during the lockdown as a unique passion project. Originally known as Bona Books, it began by offering a diverse collection of second-hand books with queer themes, hand-delivered by bike in Hackney, London. This endeavour has evolved into a thriving platform, expanding to include original art and photography alongside his book collection. At its heart, Bona Varda aims to empower emerging queer artists and provide them with a supportive and inclusive platform. The misssion is to showcase their unique perspectives and voices while fostering a welcoming environment. Bona Varda's client list includes: Queer Britain, Tom of Finland Foundation, Oliver Spencer, Davy Pittors and The Museum of the Home, London.
The name "Bona Varda" originates from Polari, a gay slang language, and translates to "good to see."
Maxwell earned his B.A. in the History of Art from the University of California at Berkeley in 2023. While at Berkeley, Maxwell received a Curatorial Internship Award funded by Ruth Berson and the Jay DeFeo Foundation. He wrote his undergraduate honors thesis on the construction of an American Queer iconography (advised by Dr. Whitney Davis). Upon graduation, he was awarded the title of Valedictorian by the History of Art Department. Maxwell is currently a Masters Candidate at The Courtuald Institute of Art, focusing on late 19th to mid 20th century Transatlantic Western art and architecture.
He holds a position at the Bob Mizer Foundation in San Francisco where he works to research, preserve and exhibit early 20th century American Queer erotic material including photography, painting, moving pictures and ephemera. He routinely writes for the Foundation's quarterly publication Physique Pictorial as well as hosts monthly film screenings from the Foundation's world-class physique films collection. His curatorial debut, entitled Physique Pictorial: The Manufacture, Craft and Art of Mizer's Magazine, opened on the 20th of October 2023. The exhibition highlights the handcrafted nature of the pioneering American homoerotic magazine Physique Pictorial and displays never-before seen elements of its physical manufacture and evolution from the early 1950s to today.
Romancero Books CIC is a cultural platform promoting Spanish and Latin American literature in the UK. Its founding director Jorge Garriz is also the director of the Festival of Queer Literature in Spanish in London, which fith edition will be happening in November.
Copies of Remote will be available for purchasing at the end of the event.