Photo Journal Monday: Laura Chen
Teal Sparkes © Laura Chen
Images and Text by Laura Chen
For my series Killer Queens, I have photographed 40 individuals from Birmingham's (UK) LGBTQ+ and drag community; the scope and participation of which demonstrates the growth of this countercultural scene in contemporary Britain. The colourful body of work—which consists of both digital and analogue portraits, including Polaroids—celebrates and explores performance and self-expression. It ultimately addresses current issues surrounding identity, gender, sexuality and community, to tell a strong collective story about discovery.
Annie Mal © Laura Chen
Fascinated by the ways in which drag artists can create endless variations of characters, in the most unique and innovative ways, I set out to document the scene. At first glance the studio portraits may look like glamorous perfection, but on closer inspection details and imperfections draw attention to their constructed nature: the fake hairline of their wigs and the texture in their skin, coming through the surface of many layers of glossy makeup. Just like the artists I capture, I am constantly drawing attention to the artificiality and playfulness with forward-thinking aesthetics, using a drag strategy with my photography. I am not trying to disguise reality, but instead, uncover their raw beauty, which I value and am keen to articulate throughout my work.
Anna Nass © Laura Chen
Motivated to entertain and educate, the talented artists embrace and advocate their multi-layered identity, offering a podium for inclusion and diversity. Utilising drag as a tool to creatively question the construction and ascription of identity, they play with magnified stereotypes. If the work focusses on the drag community, ultimately, it addresses societal issues at large. Gender performativity is choreographed by everyone in our everyday lives.
Ambriel Addams © Laura Chen
With these photographs, I aim to make aware that despite the fact that everyone is born with a specific shape and form, we have the freedom to experiment with new appearances, attitudes and identities through re-invention. We are never fully formed.
RiiRii LePour © Laura Chen
