Bachelor, 2024
My bachelor's thesis in photography, part of the Communication Design program, documents the diverse expressions of drag, travesty, and cross-dressing in an international context. The project reflects the growing acceptance of diverse identities alongside a resurgence of conservative values in society. Through photos taken between February and July, I capture the multifaceted lives of drag and cross-dressing artists from different cultures. These images form the core of a website, serving as a living archive where users can explore the personal stories behind each subject.
Leporello, 0,9m x 14,5m
“Drag is not about being perfect; it's about being authentically yourself in a world that tries to make you fit in.” - Detox (Dragqueen)
In addition to the digital platform, I created an analog introduction with a leporello book and postcards. The leporello, 0,9 meters wide and 14.5 meters long when unfolded, serves as a tangible introduction to the digital project, echoing the format of a website with its double-page spreads. The title, "The Balcony," symbolizes the transition from private to public, representing the journey of self-expression and visibility for many in these communities. The project offers an intimate look at the diversity and courage of drag, travesty, and cross-dressing artists in a time of social and political contradictions
24.05.2024 - 25.05.2024
Parish priest Nulf Schade-James and his husband organise the Travesty Gala every two years to mark the 50th anniversary of the riots at the Stonewall Inn bar in New York. ‘We already organised a drag gala last year, at that time as a fundraiser for the funeral costs of drag artist Ricky Renée,’ says Reverend Schade-James. ‘The gala was very well received by the community, and many wanted more.’