(1932-2017)

Colt, along with Rip Colt and Lüger, were pseudonyms of Jim French. His photography for Colt Studios, which he founded, is among the most significant in gay art and in photography in general. In addition to photos and video, French, as Colt or Lüger, also worked as an illustrator, producing drawings reminiscent of his own photography. One of his drawings of two cowboys was used without permission or payment by Malcolm McLaren and Vivienne Westwood on a t-shirt that became emblematic of the British punk scene they also manufactured, and led to obscenity charges against McLaren. French’s photography has been the basis of an erotic publishing empire and limited edition prints are exhibited and sold by art galleries.