TRANSFORMATIONS – an exhibition in 2 parts
Transformations is a series of images by Holly Revell. They reflect the transition from drag back to original self. The images echo post-performance emotion and fatigue, revealing the bodies which support their queens and the traces left behind post-drag. They are about the relationships the artists have with their drag-selves and how they connect.
The series includes images of David Hoyle, Scottee, Jonny Woo, Jacqui Potato, Russella, John Sizzle, A Man to Pet, Dr. Sharon Husbands, Le Gateaux Chocolat, Myra Dubois, Bourgeois and Maurice, Ginger Johnson, Holestar, Lavinia Co-Op, Fagulous, Miss Cairo, Babs (Legs and Coq), Cheryl Dole, Cherry Liquor, Titus Groan, Vanity Von Glow and Tom Harlow.
The work is also about time, process and the capabilities of photography. The images are made in camera recording the whole transition in one shot, the titles reflecting the time it took to transform. The longest exposure was 1258 seconds, whereas the shortest was just 245 seconds, an average photo takes a fraction of a second.
The exhibition will run from Wednesday the 9th March until Friday the 1st April at Lime Wharf, Vyner Street, E2 9DJ, with an opening party on the 9th March from 6-9pm to view the works and enjoy performances from some of the participants. The space will be open to visitors between 11am and 5pm Wednesday to Friday.
The exhibition will continue at The Glory, 281 Kingsland Road, E2 8AS with different portraits from the series on display in the main bar area during pub opening hours from Monday the 7th March until Saturday the 19th March with a special viewing event on Monday the 14th March from 7-9pm.
David Hoyle “Drag (call it what You Will !), is A Portal to Universal Truth , once there , there’s No going Back!”
Jonny Woo “It was so much fun exploring my spooky drag side with Holly in this wonderful shoot. And the result! It’s like the demented drag ghost who follows me around! Love Holly, love her work.”
Maurice Maurice “The process of getting into & out of drag has a ritualistic quality for me. It’s the time I am in between 2 identities, but am neither fully one thing or another. The process of change is quite personal & sometimes I can feel quite vulnerable during that time.”
John Sizzle “Drag to me is a way to keep myself interested in myself, it gives me a voice and a stage to be a bit of a punk. I’m not sure if I actually transform as much as people think, I just turn up the volume of the naughty me. It’s simply me in a wig… just taller and brighter.”
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