Laura Chen
Graduated: 2020
Direction: MA | University of Westminster \ Editorial intern @GUP magazine
Gallery
ARTIST STATEMENT
For my series Killer Queens, I have photographed around 40 individuals from Birmingham's (UK) LGBTQ+ and drag community. The colourful portraits celebrate and explore performance and self-expression. The work addresses current issues surrounding identity, sexuality and community spirit, and tells a strong collective story about discovery. The scope of the work and participation demonstrates the growth of this culture and scene in contemporary Britain.
In recent years the expansion of the identity spectrum has enabled people to connect with themselves and others in new and innovative ways. For some, the artistry which embodies drag, has played a huge role in this. The talented artists I have worked with are motivated to entertain and educate. Drag quite literally offers them a podium for inclusion and diversity.
I am fascinated by the ways in which drag artists can create endless variations of characters, in the most unique ways possible. They do this by playing with different fabrics, colours, patterns, textures, shapes and forms. With these photographs, I aim to make aware that despite that everyone is born in a specific shape and form, we have the freedom to discover new appearances and attitudes through re- invention. We are never fully formed.