Show Me What Your (Drag) Mother Taught You - Jordan Beaver

Performances by drag queens are crafted for their self-image and for the audience. Together, their attire and performance create a character. These photographs reveal a glimpse of drag queens from two perspectives, during a performance and after, which allows them to break free of their stage persona and show more of their personality.

The ability of drag performers to perform is often undermined by ignorance and lawmakers. There is a desire to shine light on the community, and this photographic project tries to create a positive place for people. Because of these much too common injustices, a disconnect is created from human to human and the complex people that these drag performers are. Performers are often associated with the stigma of seeking approval from others, when in places like these, they are also aiming to uplift the community. By contrasting performance photographs with portraits, a different side is showcased. The black and white portraits put an emphasis on the unity between people and creates an opposition to the performance images through the contrast. Makeup and clothing prove just as important to displaying their personalities. Extravagant dresses, jewels, and glitter coat the viewer’s vision and provide context to character. These drag performers are more than just their makeup and jewels, although these can elevate the experience for others.

Across different places and people, these photographs dissect the community for the individuality of drag performers through their gestures, posing, and attire while holding an appreciation for their artistry. The project rejects anti-drag rhetoric and challenges the social perspective of the art of drag.