New Kids in Hell: Jordan, Cobi, Donnie, Joey and Jonathan (All Photos By Gail)

An adoring fan’s childhood dreams of being part of the music group he once worshiped come to life in a most engaging way in Cobi Moules new body of work, New Kid, which opened last week at Lyons Wier Gallery. Working with existing images of the wildly popular early ’90s boy band New Kids on The Block — all taken from his collection of fan magazines, fold-out pin ups and trading cards — Moules has meticulously reproduced photographs of  the group —  Joey McIntyre, Donnie Wahlberg, and brothers Jonathan and Jordan Knight, while inserting himself into these contrived poses in place of fifth member Danny Wood. Thus Cobi Moules becomes the New Kid of the New Kids. Genius.

Growing up as a transgender boy, Cobi reveals that his love and admiration for NKOTB involved passionate fantasies of both being them and being with them; especially his favorite New Kid, Jordan. Because let’s face it, Jordan was the uber hottie, for sure.

Let the homoeroticism begin!

How fun is this? I mean, who among those reading this didn’t have crazy childhood fantasies about a band you loved? I know that when I was five years old, my plan was to marry Paul McCartney and join the Beatles. I was five.  Obviously that didn’t really work out for me, but that’s all the more reason that seeing Cobi’s adorably ecstatic face peering out from his terrific realist paintings, as he cuddles and cavorts with his favorite childhood band, is secretly thrilling. Because imaginative extrapolation allows the viewer to live through him.

Cobi and Joey

Cobi and Jonathan

There’s also this fun little animated gif!

I especially loved the re-imagined collection of NKOTB Trading Cards!

The one on the right is just insane.

So seriously great.

I spoke with Cobi at the show’s opening reception, and he is a really nice guy, and obviously hugely talented. I will be interested to see what he does next.

Artist Cobi Moules Photographed at the Opening Reception with One of His New Kid Paintings

Clever, original, uniquely hilarious and very, very sweet, Cobi Mueles’ New Kid is our favorite exhibit of 2016 so far!

Cobi Moules’ New Kid will be on Exhibit Through March 5th, 2016 at Lyons Wier Gallery, Located 542 West 24th Street in the Chelsea Gallery District.