Boxcar Idols — James Allen

Boxcar Idols is a collection of original stories, accompanied by romanticized, rendered images, depicting  American Depression-era men. These are not documentary portraits or oral histories, but rather a re-imagined, homoerotic fantasy exploration of the hobo myth, a narrative of wanderlust and survival.  Keep in mind that no matter how hopeless some of these men look, they have agency, they are in motion, riding the rails, traveling toward hope, and discovering unexpected pleasures along the way.Some of the men are young and desperate, their eyes showing a mix of fear and hope as they travel. They're vulnerable, uncertain about the future but determined to move forward. Others are older, seasoned travelers with weathered faces and confident expressions. They appear rugged and invite the viewer into their world.Despite their struggles, these men are shown as having agency, moving towards hope and finding unexpected pleasures on their journey.