Gay Belfast Book Shop and Reviews

What happens when you take a 17th century Art Historian, hand him a camera along with a couple of the most gorgeous models around, and allow him total free reign in a beautiful home setting? Well, the answer of course is laid out right before you . Introducing the stunning culmination of photographer Mark Henderson's work, Household Idols.

How do men become idols? And how can we get close to them? Mark Henderson places beautiful, unreachable men in a domestic ambience. Bedrooms, kitchens and gardens become backdrops of sexual attraction, and all of a sudden these men seem touchable.

This is why Henderson shot most of them in his private home; color manipulation makes the ambient new every time. Mark Henderson prefers luscious colors and harsh contrasts to enhance the immediateness of his photographs. He colors individual items on monochrome works to set them apart.

Featuring a veritable explosion in color, composition, texture, and contrast, Mark Henderson's Household Idols succeeds in displaying a 'body beautiful' theme from the unique perspective of a true artistic visionary. In his own words, Mark describes his art history affinity as his "primary draw to the expressive, exuberant colors employed by many of the 17th century greats."

The influence is clearly apparent from what we see here... even so, the primary aim of Mark's massive 106-page hardcover photobook wasn't to recreate the works of past greats, but to make his own personal statement in the world of artistic imagery... from what I can tell, mission apparently accomplished.

Mark Henderson by education and profession Mark Henderson is an art historian specializing in Northern and Southern European painting of the 17th century, so it is no coincidence that in his own work he is often drawn to the expressive colors and chiaroscuro effects employed by many of the great Baroque painters. Although Mark wouldn't characterize his photographs as particularly Baroque or directly referential to art history at all, his first-hand exposure to and close study of great works of art must surely have influenced his work in some very subtle way.

Mark has occasionally travelled to the desert and other remote outdoor locations for photo shoots, but he has always drawn back to the tranquil, relaxed atmosphere of a home where he can create images in which the models can be admired, indeed idolized, in a more private and personal way. Mark is living in Los Angeles.

Household Idols, published by famed European publishing house Bruno Gmünder and available from Amazon.

This is how the gods of the antique would look today. Men of timeless elegance presented in classic and romantic poses - muscular bodies of immaculate beauty in gorgeous black-and-white photography.

If you wanted to create living images of the statues of divinities, the real men shown here help make a reality of that fantasy. This is a classic imagery, which through the modern men in the images in no way seems dated. David Vance`s photographs resonate with a dynamic tranquility, a quiet passion. They are at once sensual and strong, haunting and insiring.

They reflect a deep appreciation of classic painting and sculpture, and a great love of beauty.

Published by famed European publishing house Bruno Gmunder and available from Amazon.

Also available is "Heavenly Bodies". David Vance seeks to make his models appear like Greek statues - and succeeds with brilliance. Every picture is a piece of timeless art that you want to blow up and hang on your wall. More of the incredibly successful "Timeless" (2006) with one essential difference: "Heavenly Bodies" is shot in full color!

The Spell has found Alan Hollinghurst (The Line of Beauty - only £3.99 at Amazon) on the Guardian's Fiction Prize shortlist, and with good reason. His first two novels were mischievous, escapist things, toying with the delights of colonial buggery The Swimming Pool Library and underage Belgian boys The Folding Star. In The Spell he's come of age, finally engaging with the issues of relationships, monogamy and aging that preoccupy the work of his peers. Alex is an uptight 36-year-old Foreign Office man who suddenly falls for Danny, the 22- year-old son of his ex-lover's new lover (are you following this?) The infatuation with Danny is as much an infatuation with the ecstasy-fuelled nightlife to which Danny introduces him, and it's hardly a surprise when the relationship fizzles. But Alex is forced into confronting his desires and the novel ends leaving him unsure but at least taking stock and looking forward. The story veers wildly between an intoxicating London and a windswept, traditional Wessex, as if Hollinghurst can't yet reconcile true rural Englishness with the possibilities afforded by cosmopolitan queer London. But there's an honesty here that's welcome after the (admittedly arousing) archness of his earlier work, and a real sense of facing up to life's bigger questions. Buy The Spell by Alan Hollinghurst from Amazon and support our website.

This work contains never before seen images of real "ruggers" in the buff in candid locker room shots. It contains a collection of gorgeous lads that has inspired a calendar which sold over 70,000 copies in France alone and has been a hot mail order item for American gay men. This is the perfect book for anyone interested in male photography - tasteful yet extremely sexy. This book speaks to the legions of gay men who are fascinated by the raw beauty of the athletic form - and fantasize about what might go on in a real locker room. In print are the totals of comp titles "Male Now" (50,000 copies) "Male Ideal" (20,000 copies). In the tradition of "The Full Monty" but with much more raw athletic prowess and sex appeal, the French National Rugby team gives us their "all" in these handsomely photographed pages. Photographer Francois Rousseau succeeded in getting the entire French national rugby team to pose in the buff. The results are a series of incredibly hot yet candid portraits of real rugby players for the viewing enjoyment of women and men. This collection of photos of the French national rugby team has been an immense hit as an import in the original French (under the title DIEUX DU STADE). With a brief foreword by Madonna, this book celebrates the raw power of the male athlete in candid locker room scenes and will appeal to anyone fascinated by the male form. French edition is sold over 20,000 copies in its first year. Buy Locker Room by Francois Rousseau from Amazon and support our website

Gay Belfast: the award winning website for scene news and events for the Belfast gay and lesbian community and those visiting the city. Coming to Belfast? Let Gay Belfast plan your day finds out what's happening each day in Belfast's gay scene. We tell you the best gay bars and clubs in Belfast so you do not waste any time. Check out the Gay Belfast recommended hotels and guesthouses for places to stay.