Series 1: Welcome to Queens Land digital story (2024)
This series consists of one documentary-style video that includes interviews with several drag queens along with footage of them preparing and performing - both individually and with other queer artists - at events across various venues around Brisbane and Logan.
The video aims to showcase the inclusivity of the contemporary queer performance scene in South-East Queensland.
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Welcome to Queens Land digital story
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Series 2: Let's talk drag digital stories (2022-2024)
This series consists of five digital story interviews with drag queens and artists, along with footage of them preparing and performing at events across various venues around Brisbane and Logan.
The series showcases the diversity of artists in the contemporary queer performance scene in South-East Queensland.
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Lets talk drag with Elle De Flower (2022 November 30)
This digital story features Brisbane-based drag queen Elle De Flower. Elle began performing in 2018 and has appeared on television, hosted events and won competitions. She is known for her dance performances, costumes and sense of humour.
Elle is also a passionate supporter and champion of the queer community.
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Lets talk drag with Freya Armani (2023 August 26)
This digital story features US-born, Brisbane-based drag queen Freya Armani. Having begun her drag career in 2019—and drawing on her background in competitive dance and university-level drama—Freya brings high-energy performance to every show. She has also appeared on the popular television series RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under.
In this video, Freya talks about her early inspirations and mentors in the Brisbane drag scene, and her own evolution as a drag queen. She is a member of the POC drag collective Haus of Thicc, and she speaks about her experience with the group, who are known for promoting innovation and diversity in the drag art form.
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Lets talk drag with Helen Wheels (2023 December 30)
This digital story features Helen Wheels who is a wheelchair user and an advocate for disability and queer inclusion. Based in Brisbane, Helen is known for using her wheelchair as part of her performances, producing inclusive shows and for her activism which includes raising awareness about accessibility issues.
Helen started exploring drag at home and posting content online, with her early work based on a cooking show style format. Helen describes herself as a fun-time performer who likes to inspire people any way she can. She has come out as a transgender woman and is a recipient of the Activist of the 2024 Year award.
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Lets talk drag with Ladybird (2022 November 30)
This digital story features non-binary, drag artist Ladybird from Brisbane, known for being campy and over the top with a kitsch aesthetic and a fun and silly approach to their performances.
Ladybird started experimenting with drag make-up during Covid-19 lockdowns, and says that they were immediately drawn to the world of drag.
As a drag performer who is Assigned Female at Birth (AFAB), Ladybird has gained recognition in the Brisbane drag scene, winning the Queer Sister Smackdown competition and being nominated for various awards. They are active on stages, host events like bingo and drag brunches, and have been featured in local media and events.
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Lets talk drag with Lulu LeMans (2022 November 30)
This digital story features Lulu LeMans, a Brisbane drag performer known for her comedic hosting, dance, and theatre performances, and as Brisbane's tallest fashion icon. She is also recognised for her activism, especially as an ambassador for the charity Small Steps 4 Hannah, focusing on raising awareness about domestic and family violence within the queer community, and her involvement in community events.
Her shows include a diversity of performance styles from silly comedy, dance, and classic drag power ballads. Lulu discovered drag accidentally - coming from a background of enjoying makeup and then sharing her experience at home with her partner, which brought out a confidence and personality that prompted her to explore the drag scene outside her home. She is a full-time working drag artist and she talks about what is involved in a typical week and maintaining her professional life.
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Series 3: My drag stories oral histories (2022-2024)
This series consists of four video vignettes combining segments of interviews with cutaway performance and backstage footage of different performers.
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My drag story featuring Freya Armani (2023 August 26)
This short digital story features Helen Wheels performing at various venues and events, and segments of her interview in which she speaks about her evolution as a drag artist.
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My drag story featuring Helen Wheels
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My drag story featuring Ladybird
This short digital story features footage of Ladybird performing at various venues and events, and segments of her interview in which she speaks about her evolution as a drag artist.
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My drag story featuring Lulu LeMans
This short digital story features footage of Lulu LeMans performing at various venues and events, and segments of her interview in which she speaks about her evolution as a drag artist.
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Series 4: Photographs of drag artists at home (2022-2024)
This series features several drag queens and artists at home as they relax and prepare for their performances. The images capture them designing and planning their outfits, coordinating wigs and accessories, and applying makeup. Some photos include moments with their family members and pets.
Lulu LeMans and Elle de Flower, who live together, are shown sharing time at home, applying their makeup and relaxing side by side.
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Items in this series:
Behind the scenes images of drag artists at home
- Freya Armani at home - 12 images
- Helen Wheels at home - 8 images
- Ladybird at home - 26 images
- Lulu LeMans and Elle de Flower at home - 27 images
- Willow at home - 11 images
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Series 5: Photographs of drag and burlesque events (2023-2024)
This series features photographs of queer performers, communities and audiences in Brisbane and Logan at drag and other LGBTQIA+ venues and events in 2023 and 2024.
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Items in this series:
Queer performances and events in Brisbane and Logan
This series features the following events:
- Micah Rustichelli in the studio - 27 images of interdisciplinary artist Micah working on their project 'A body which draws itself'.
- alt.BARBz at the Wickham Hotel, Fortitude Valley - 21 images of a queer performance show with themes of drag, burlesque and performance art.
- D&W Republic, Wynnum - 3 images of queer performers at a small bar and dance venue.
- Queer Sister Smackdown, Sportsman Hotel, Spring Hill - 29 images of several performers participating in a themed drag competition
- Under the sea, Wickham Hotel, Fortitude Valley - 21 images of a drag and burlesque show with an undersea theme.
- Loud and Proud, Logan - 48 images of a multi-arts Pride festival featuring multiple performers
- Toucan Kings, Loud and Proud, Logan - 39 images of an 80s inspired drag king group performing at a Pride festival
- Wicked at the Wickham, Wickham Hotel, Fortitude Valley - 16 images of drag queens performing together in an event celebrating the musical and film Wicked.