Visual Aid Presents a Book Signing for Rene Capone

In his work, Visual Aid artist Rene Capone creates a world where boys become avatars--taking on the characteristics of animals and transforming their identities both physically and spiritually. In this exhibition of pen and ink illustrations for his first graphic novel, "The Legend of Hedgehog Boy," Capone appropriates and humorously references traditional Japanese comics. Dynamically integrating image and text, Capone tells a story of an abused child who rejects the role of victim and enters an alternate reality where he sets off on a dangerous adventure of revenge, self discovery, and ultimately love and redemption.

According to Capone, at heart the novel is a love story, but beyond that it is a story not afraid to question the world and the idea of hope. His characters don't explain or justify the sexuality that surrounds them. Love and sex are complicated enough without reinforcing internal conflict over same-gender crushes. So in their universe, they don't question being queer, they simply just are. Capone thinks of this graphic novel as his love letter to any lost gay boy who needs a friend and hopes he stumbles upon it when he needs it the most.

Join the artist and author at his book signing on March 3, 2009 from 6-7PM, at the James C. Hormel Gay and Lesbian Center in the San Francisco Main Library, Third Floor.

This exhibition was curated by Jared Ledesma, from Visual Aid's X-Team.