Andre Uncut’s Mission to Preserve Black Erotic Histories
Portrait taken by Jayla Garnett
I met Andre Uncut back in the summer over coffee—he ordered white wine at mid-day, which I wasn’t mad at. An anomaly of an archivist, or as he calls himself, a history “buff,” Andre was at the time artist in residence at the Andrew Freedman Home in the Bronx. Instantly, we clicked as native New Yorkers do and talked about what archiving can do for future generations, specifically around Black erotica. I’m talking about photography, video, posters, magazine covers, and undiscovered photoshoots your mama probably didn’t even know existed. And why would she, when there are specialists like Andre who will drive hours for a limited-edition photo rediscovered from someone’s garage stash (he has done it). It was my first time, in my own naivete, learning that X allows explicit content to be shown - the platform he uses to communicate to potential buyers. He explained, “this is where my core audiences are. Many engage with nude photographs because they can, and there’s no censorship, so it’s a perfect place for me to share my holdings for collectors."
By September - just a few months after meeting - Andre participated in Available Works, a book fair where he, in collaboration with photographer Sola Olosunde, presented the collection “Dad’s Secret Stash.” This evolving archival project reframes vintage Black erotica as both a historical record and a living archive featuring rare magazines and media spanning the 1930s through the late twentieth century. The collection for sale includes black women through intimacy and representation that is often overlooked or erased in popular culture.
In an interview with artcurrently, Andre reflects on the evolution of the collection, the act of archiving, and the careful preservation of Black erotic histories - a stewardship born from curiosity.
You specialize in film and photography but what I’m most intrigued by is your latest Dad’s Secret Stash which was on display at the recent “Available Works” display at WSA. How has the collection evolved since the first presentation?
Since our initial showcase at Available Works, the Dad’s Secret Stash Collection has expanded significantly. We’ve added a variety of items from popular culture that explore black erotica. Additionally, we dug deeper into history and uncovered photographs dating back to the 1930s.
The fair brings together art books, posters, and ephemera - objects that already blur the lines between intimacy and collection. How does Dad’s Secret Stash play with that tactile, collectible crowd?
I think Dad’s Secret Stash plays into that by inviting our audience to explore the stories behind each piece. All our items are conversation pieces especially from our Players magazines which touch on politics and culture within the 1970s-1990s.
Archiving is important to you and your work. We’d love to hear the extremities, if any you had to go through in order to get your hands on some of any limited editions?
In my pursuit of collecting, I have thoroughly explored every available website and enlisted individuals to acquire rare magazines from their own home states. For example, there was a smoke shop in Georgia that happened to sell erotica and had a vast amount of African American adult media. I got what I could because other people found out about the location. It shows you how scarce these items are, especially for Black erotica.
Your work often channels a kind of emotional nostalgia- the textures of memory, and community. How does nostalgia operate in Dad’s Secret Stash?
Nostalgia plays a significant role for DSS, we purposefully highlight memories that resonate deeply. Whether it’s a Pam Grier magazine cover that hasn’t been seen in over decades or certain publications that people believed they would never encounter again, these moments evoke personal reminiscence. This connection often sparks curiosity because of its rarity, encouraging individuals to explore further.
How did you first begin collecting these materials, and what drew you specifically to the world of vintage Black erotica?
In 2019, I embarked on a journey to collect Black Erotica for my very first solo photography exhibition, which centered around a 1990s theme. I gathered a diverse array of materials from that era, including publications like Vibe Magazine and Black Tail Magazine. Sola and I also visited Houston to record an erotic two girl scene with former adult stars. By 2021, we made the decision to collaboratively expand our collection of magazines and items related to Black erotica. We recognized that this genre seemed largely neglected, almost as if it had been erased from cultural memory. This was particularly evident during a time when interracial content was being heavily promoted online, overshadowing the rich narratives within Black Erotica.
What’s the story behind titling this collection Dad’s Secret Stash?
The name originated from Sola, we struggled with an idea on what to name it at first. “Dad’s Secret Stash” seemed more fitting of the fact that’s where you would find most of this content. Between your fathers mattress, closet or even garage.
Dad’s Secret Stash highlights the central role of Black women in shaping erotic aesthetics. How do you approach that history with sensitivity and depth?
As we have been collecting for only three years we have quite a few goals with Dad’s Secret Stash, we plan to produce printed materials with written history and interviews with people who were in the adult film industry. We try our best to highlight erotica’s connections to pop culture, especially with music. Lil Kim is definitely a favorite of ours and the most collected magazine, Players Magazine, was not only an erotic magazine but also one that featured several Black journalists discussing important topics for the Black community. Wanda Coleman was an editor for Players from 1972-1974 and introduced a variety of black writers and put her creative spin on what black women should be portrayed as in response to the predominantly white publication Playboy. Black Tail Magazine, our second most collected, is an adult magazine that highlights both strippers and strip clubs across the nation. It’s that type of documentation paired with erotica that drew us to collect more. We always have conversations about how the collection may appear to others. We try our best to evolve the collection from a perspective of historic preservation, rather than just an exploration of erotic aesthetics.
You and Sola Olosunde have collaborated on multiple installations. How did this creative partnership begin?
Sola and I have been friends spanning nearly a decade, which naturally laid the foundation for our creative collaboration. Together, we form a collective known as "WAS," which includes our other partner, Whaffle, as well as myself André, and Sola. Additionally, we have Rivers on board, who models, acts and also archives.
And lastly, you mentioned this will be your last installation for a while. What’s next for your own creative direction?
Our next step for DSS is to take our collection on tour to different museums. It’s something bigger than our expectations and the world needs to see it and conversations surrounding it.
