On a surprisingly warm day in May, renowned photographer Magnus Hastings found himself in a back alley behind a gay bar in Liverpool, surrounded by 35 local drag queens. This was a significant departure from his usual environment in Los Angeles, where he typically captures images of high-profile LGBT celebrities in polished studios. However, this day was dedicated to celebrating his favorite art form: drag.
Two months later, the photographs from this unique day, which Hastings and the queens humorously dubbed his “initiation into the Liverpool gay scene,” have become the centerpiece of a groundbreaking exhibition. Titled “Queen by Magnus Hastings,” the exhibition is set to open at the Walker Art Gallery, coinciding with the city’s Pride celebrations.
The exhibition features not only local talent but also some of the biggest names in the international drag scene, including Jinkx Monsoon, Shea Coulee, and Bob the Drag Queen. Hastings specifically commissioned photographs of Liverpool’s drag queens, capturing their essence behind The Lisbon, one of the city’s oldest gay bars.
While the exhibition includes images of world-renowned queens like Jinkx Monsoon, who recently triumphed in season 7 of Drag Race All Stars, it is the local queens’ back-alley portraits that are drawing the most attention during private viewings. Hastings expressed his desire for the exhibition to focus on the art of drag rather than merely showcasing reality TV stars. “I wanted this exhibition to be about the art of drag; not just about a TV show,” he stated. “I’ve never wanted to photograph people just because they’ve been on Drag Race; it’s about who inspires me and who I get inspiration from.”
Among the local queens featured is Danny Beard, who has proudly taken on the role of the exhibition’s “poster girl.” Having won the fourth season of Drag Race UK, Danny, who uses they/them pronouns, understands the importance of visibility in the drag community. “The first time I ever did drag was at Liverpool Pride a long time ago. I looked absolutely awful and I called myself Katie Halfprice, but I just fell in love with the empowering experience that it is,” they shared. Today, Danny is a household name, frequently appearing on prime-time television and hosting their own show on BBC Radio One. Their image now graces a 10-foot banner outside the gallery, just a stone’s throw from where their drag journey began.
For Danny Beard, the true magic of Hastings’ work lies in its celebration of the diversity within the local drag scene. Many queens featured in the exhibition have not sought or received the same platform as those on Ru Paul’s Drag Race, and Hastings aims to highlight their artistry and individuality.
Another local queen, Pretentious Dross, describes herself as “Liverpool’s arthouse witch, masher of lips and prancer of stages.” Dressed in pointed elf ears, extravagant jewelry, and a striking black Thierry Mugler vampire dress, she hopes the exhibition will challenge misconceptions about drag. “There’s a misconception that drag is just people doing hyper-femme, gowns, wigs, makeup, that sort of thing,” she explained. “What these images show is that there are as many different ways to do drag as there are people in the world.”
Hastings himself is rarely seen in front of the camera, preferring to focus on the queens he admires. He appears in just one photograph, alongside Australian drag queen Courtney Act. Despite his deep appreciation for drag culture, he has never donned drag himself. “I just love drag,” he reminisced. “When I was younger, I used to steal my sister’s clothes and shoes, running around with my mum’s feather boa, lip-syncing to songs. I was a bit ashamed of it and locked it down.”
For Hastings, his photography serves as a form of drag expression. “I’m not an observer; I’m a participant. It’s how I express my little drag child through the work I do,” he said. The exhibition “Queen by Magnus Hastings” will be on display at the Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool from July 27 to August 25, 2024, offering a vibrant glimpse into the diverse world of drag and the local queens who embody its spirit.
Source: BBC News
