User:Jwc228/Josh McNey

Josh McNey (born May 15, 1975) is an American photographer.

Life and Work
Josh McNey grew up in with three brothers in Westlake Village, a suburban enclave of Los Angeles, California. At the age of eighteen -- aware of his homosexuality, but deeply closeted -- McNey enlisted in the US Marines where he served in an elite Force Reconnaissance unit for more than seven years under Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. During his time in the Marines, McNey was a marksmanship instructor, scuba diver and parachutist.

The majority of McNey's published work is portraiture of young men, including friends, lovers, family and strangers alike. He also works in landscape and still life mediums that reflect "a diligent exploration of his environment. His work is permeated with a strong sense of desire and openness." McNey is best known for his series of portraits of wrestlers and professional bull riders. These images examine the masculine persona and question the relationship between nature and engineering, dominance and submission as well as other themes exploring identity.

Josh McNey's exhibition "Protect from Light" opened at Casa de Costa gallery in New York on April 29, 2011. The exhibition was the inaugural show and grand opening for the gallery. The exhibition includes nearly thirty unpublished photographs, including landscapes, still life and portraits primarily from McNey’s work with college wrestlers, professional bull riders and other athletes.

Josh McNey has lived in various places in the US and now resides in New York City. His portrait work has appeared in Tokion, Out, XLR8R, K48, Paris/LA and other select magazines and has been exhibited in group shows in the US and Europe.

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