Everyone loves to gag over photographs of their favorite queens, and chances are, some of the photographs have been taken by talented drag queen photographer, Magnus Hastings. His popular Facebook page, Dragged Around the World, archives some of his best work. This celebrated artist has been photographing drag queens for the past 10 years- and his artwork showcasing queens is taking the world by storm! Hastings' first photo exhibition in New York, Why Drag?, will run during Pride and the summer months (May 26-August 26), at the OUT NYC Hotel. The best part about this unique exhibition is that each queen he photographs explains why it is that they do drag (but you'll have to the exhibit to see that!)
Magnus thought one of the queen's answer was so funny that he couldn't help sharing it with Drag Official so we're passing it along as a teaser for the rest of the exhibition:
Magnus thought one of the queen's answer was so funny that he couldn't help sharing it with Drag Official so we're passing it along as a teaser for the rest of the exhibition:
"Because I like to wear pantyhose!" -Tammie Brown
The queens displayed in Hastings' photographs include Bianca Del Rio, Courtney Act, Adore Delano, Sharon Needles, Jinkx Monsoon, and Alaska Thunderfuck, among many, many, many others! Drag Official had the great pleasure of chatting with Magnus Hastings about his exhibition, and what it was like working closely with these drag icons:
What can we expect from your upcoming Why Drag? exhibition?
I would say the show is quite a diverse collection of images. With this kind of work it is all quite organic, shooting when and where ever I can, just trying to catch a moment that represents each queen well. I like to think you get to see drag through my eyes: an amazing creative world full of artists who are constantly thinking up new ideas, experimenting. I try to change it up if its not working, so I often arrange to shoot with no definite structure or lighting set up. I see what we have at our disposal and make it happen. it is a great way to get your adrenaline pumping!
I would say the show is quite a diverse collection of images. With this kind of work it is all quite organic, shooting when and where ever I can, just trying to catch a moment that represents each queen well. I like to think you get to see drag through my eyes: an amazing creative world full of artists who are constantly thinking up new ideas, experimenting. I try to change it up if its not working, so I often arrange to shoot with no definite structure or lighting set up. I see what we have at our disposal and make it happen. it is a great way to get your adrenaline pumping!
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Over your career, you've worked with many of the top drag queens. How have those experiences been?
I ran around the streets of West Hollywood with Adore with me just trying things. I wanted to shoot her iconic Budweiser swimsuit and the images are now classics. There is a new one, and a favorite of mine in the show, along with a whole unseen look.
Sharon Needles I had 20 minutes in her hotel room before the drag race launch party in New York but her room wasn't big enough to shoot so I ended up putting up my background in the corridor, fearing we would be shut down because of the major obstruction we caused. But I got the shot , which is one of my favorites.
And Alaska needs a mention because she is just so lovely. We had an afternoon a bit like Adore's. Jumped in my car and just drove around seeing what grabbed my attention. I think those are my favorite shoots. Mixing day light with flash and using the surrounding area as a backdrop. Like that last "Mean Gays" shoot i did with Courtney- everything just worked!
Of course , Courtney Act is my muse and we are constantly shooting and coming up with ideas together, I actually filmed her Drag Race audition tape. We have been working together for 9 years now so there is a lot of trust there. She knows I have her back.
I ran around the streets of West Hollywood with Adore with me just trying things. I wanted to shoot her iconic Budweiser swimsuit and the images are now classics. There is a new one, and a favorite of mine in the show, along with a whole unseen look.
Sharon Needles I had 20 minutes in her hotel room before the drag race launch party in New York but her room wasn't big enough to shoot so I ended up putting up my background in the corridor, fearing we would be shut down because of the major obstruction we caused. But I got the shot , which is one of my favorites.
And Alaska needs a mention because she is just so lovely. We had an afternoon a bit like Adore's. Jumped in my car and just drove around seeing what grabbed my attention. I think those are my favorite shoots. Mixing day light with flash and using the surrounding area as a backdrop. Like that last "Mean Gays" shoot i did with Courtney- everything just worked!
Of course , Courtney Act is my muse and we are constantly shooting and coming up with ideas together, I actually filmed her Drag Race audition tape. We have been working together for 9 years now so there is a lot of trust there. She knows I have her back.
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Who can we look forward to seeing you photograph in the coming months?
Well I am opening the show in New York and then jumping on a plane to my native UK for a holiday which is much needed. I think my camera will stay safely in its bag for 3 weeks or so. Then back to New York for Pride and start work on moving the show around America. The plan is to go to cities where there is a big drag audience and then shoot the top queens there to then include in the show. I want it to be a "breathing" exhibition and changeable. And obviously I have only chipped the surface of talent in drag world. I am thinking about Sydney Mardi Gras to show it next year and there are so many great queens there .. its where i fell in love with drag, so it would be great to go back.
Well I am opening the show in New York and then jumping on a plane to my native UK for a holiday which is much needed. I think my camera will stay safely in its bag for 3 weeks or so. Then back to New York for Pride and start work on moving the show around America. The plan is to go to cities where there is a big drag audience and then shoot the top queens there to then include in the show. I want it to be a "breathing" exhibition and changeable. And obviously I have only chipped the surface of talent in drag world. I am thinking about Sydney Mardi Gras to show it next year and there are so many great queens there .. its where i fell in love with drag, so it would be great to go back.
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How did the 'Why Drag?' idea come about?
The "Why Drag?" question just came as I started to put the images together as a book. I figured I needed some text and that it was a loose question that could be interpreted in many ways. I actually mean it in a very positive way, but some drag hags, not the drag queens, get all uppity about it .. " the question should be WHY NOT?" etc etc but i think that is more telling about their state of mind. I mean it in terms of "what brought you to this place where drag is a big part of your life" it's a gentle question, but I love a bit of controversy so let people read into it what they like.
The "Why Drag?" question just came as I started to put the images together as a book. I figured I needed some text and that it was a loose question that could be interpreted in many ways. I actually mean it in a very positive way, but some drag hags, not the drag queens, get all uppity about it .. " the question should be WHY NOT?" etc etc but i think that is more telling about their state of mind. I mean it in terms of "what brought you to this place where drag is a big part of your life" it's a gentle question, but I love a bit of controversy so let people read into it what they like.
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Be sure to see these photos, as well as many other Hastings originals, in the Why Drag? exhibition at the OUT NYC Hotel, on exhibit May 26-August 26.
