DeCelle, Edward Brooks

Biographical Information

Edward Brooks DeCelle was a gallery owner, curator, and fine art collector based primarily in San Francisco and Washington, D.C. Perhaps best known for the curation of the 1979 exhibit at 80 Langton in San Francisco entitled "Censored" showcasing the works of Robert Mapplethorpe, DeCelle was heavily influential in the gay renaissance of the 1970's and 1980's in San Francisco.

From 1972-1983, DeCelle ran the Lawson DeCelle Gallery in SF, which had a strong reputation as a waypoint for young, talented gay artists. He was also a founding board member of 80 Langton (now New Langton Arts) in San Francisco. He later moved to Washington D.C. and became highly involved in the art scene there. DeCelle donated countless works to galleries and museums across the United States, including the Corcoran, Getty, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, National Portrait Gallery, and the Whitney.

Other prominent artists represented by DeCelle include photographers Crawford Barton and Arthur Tress.