San Francisco Art Spotting: Jeremy Novy

This week, GayCities takes you beyond the museum and down the city’s alley ways and unexplored sidewalks for an insider’s look at the queer artists who’ve made San Francisco their ultimate canvas.

If you’re a longtime San Francisco resident, than you probably have stepped over a swarm of koi fish on the sidewalk. No, the city is not one big Japanese seafood market, these koi fish are alive. Or at least Jeremy Novy depicted them that way.

The artist who has been hailed as a pioneer of queer street art has made San Francisco his artistic playground with stencils not only of koi fish, but drag queens, care bears, and even hunky shirtless men on billboards.

Just don’t call his work “graffiti.” Last year when we spoke with Jeremy, he told us that he preferred stencils because of their “pop culture references and for the most part stencils are political in nature.”

Today we also draws inspiration from his benefactor Ron, and his “amazing collection of male image photography that dates back to 1880’s. It’s over 100 pieces by well-known artists with an emphasis on the 40’s, 50’s, 60’s and 70’s,” Jeremy said.

Not surprisingly, the streets also give this arts renegade much to think about and explore, especially the Polk Street alley ways.

Click on to the next page to find out exactly where in San Francisco you can skip over his koi fish – if you haven’t done so already. Plus more images of Jeremy’s colorfully blissful work throughout the city.

Photos courtesy Jeremy Novy and larrybob.

Jeremy’s koi fish may be his most iconic contribution to San Francisco’s street art. They can be found in several locations throughout the city, including swimming across the MUNI F line train tracks on Castro and Market, in front of Orbit Room (1900 Market), and in front of KOK bar in SoMa, where you can also find his queer love boot stamps. Let us know where else in the city you’ve spotted his work!

Lady Bear gets the stencil treatment by Jeremy Novy.
Of course it wouldn’t be queer street art without your hunky leatherman. Here, Jeremy Novy pays homage to Tom of Finland.
Not to be outdone by the Teletubbies, the Care Bears have always been a little gay. These guys, who appeared overnight on a construction site on the three-way cross street of Market, Noe, and 16th, are of a more prideful variety.
Don't forget to share:

Your support makes our travel guides possible

We believe that LGBTQ+ people deserve safe vacations that allow them to be their authentic selves. That's why our City Guides aren't locked behind a paywall. Can you contribute today?

Cancel anytime · Proudly LGBTQ+ owned and operated