V/I/S/A/G/E is a creative collaboration between Belfast based photographer Carrie Davenport, graphic designer/nightclub promoter Aaron Eakin, Kaizen Print and six of Belfast’s most prominent and prolific Drag Queens.

Launching at ArtCetera Studio on Thursday 27th July and exhibiting daily from 11am-5pm until Saturday 5th August, V/I/S/A/G/E comprises of a series of portrait photographs. Each Drag Queen is depicted in both their male and Drag identities, representing the six colours of the rainbow flag.

Far from being ordinary photographs, local carpenter Gareth Martin (wishbone & Dagger) has created large scale 3 dimensional frames for us to display the works interactively, with Kaizen Print creating a new method of mounting the works so you can walk around the pieces changing your view as you more around the image.

Origins of the term Drag are widely disputed, but it’s believed to be an acronym for ‘Dressed Resembling A Girl’, a theatrical term dating back to Shakespearean plays. More than just fun and colourful entertainers, Drag Queens have been at the forefront of the fight for LGBTQ rights, dating back to the Stonewall riots of 1969.

Exhibiting as part of the 2017 Belfast Pride festival, the project’s purpose is to explore, highlight and celebrate an ancient theatrical art form that has evolved from LGBTQ culture to the mainstream.

RED: Matthew Cavan / Cherrie Ontop

ORANGE: Adam Renshaw / Rusty Hinges

YELLOW: Marcus Hunter-Neill / Portia Di’ Monte

GREEN: Michael Hillman / Misty Falls

BLUE: Joshua Cargill / Blu Hydrangea

VIOLET: Robert McCready / Titti Von Tramp

V/I/S/A/G/E at ArtCetera Studio, 43 Rosemary Street, Belfast. Launching Thursday 27th July at 7pm. Open daily (except Sunday) from 11am-5pm. In association with The Maverick. Admission free.