honorable mention
Sean Alistair germany
title
Midsummer Drag Queens
It was very important for me to do one last photographic series before I left Canada and celebrate the niche queer community who accepted me with open arms. The one section of Vancouver that was never tainted by memories of heartbreak or rejection was Stanley park. In the center of this chaos is a secret world filled with magic; so it seemed only fitting to shoot this unique group of individuals there.
I have been strictly photographing the Vancouver non-binary Drag community for 3 years at the time of this series. The thrust of my entire Drag concentration is to dissect and deconstruct this idea of what gender really is. I chose to work with this community because their art form is in fact using gender as self expression.
Later I went to Langley Fine Arts in Fort Langley where I studied art with a focus on photography. On a whim during my senior year I took a textiles course where I learned how to embroider, and it was like I finally learned how to communicate. By graduation I won the Hyeon Award for Mastery in their Medium for Embroidery.
Upon Graduation I started a career as a Visual Merchandiser and studied fashion, only working on my art as a hobby. But there was always this yearning to express my point of view. After a very rough patch in my life I realized how import art was to me and I started to explore with materials without schooling, agenda, or even an idea what I was doing; I began to create. Then with the image in my head of a field of wildflowers I began to embroider. After almost seven years of not practicing this craft it was like I finally spoke again after being quiet for so long.
My time spent working in fashion has influenced my work greatly. I am constantly inspired by and make reference to
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entry description
Vancouver Canada was my first love, and my first heartbreak. I grew up outside the city in the nondescript suburbs where I felt simultaneously invisible and yet also a target. When I finally moved to Vancouver in a fancy glass building with a large mirror in the lobby and a tv in the elevator I felt as though I "made it". When I was able to move out on my own and stay in the city I felt so successful. However Vancouver had let me down. After countless rejections and hurt, I felt as though I never quite belonged there. But with that said this Midsummer series was a love note to the city and community that taught me who I am. Vancouver was where after 30 years I finally found out what true personal love is when I met my partner John. And where I finally found a small group of individuals who seem to understand me as an artist.It was very important for me to do one last photographic series before I left Canada and celebrate the niche queer community who accepted me with open arms. The one section of Vancouver that was never tainted by memories of heartbreak or rejection was Stanley park. In the center of this chaos is a secret world filled with magic; so it seemed only fitting to shoot this unique group of individuals there.
I have been strictly photographing the Vancouver non-binary Drag community for 3 years at the time of this series. The thrust of my entire Drag concentration is to dissect and deconstruct this idea of what gender really is. I chose to work with this community because their art form is in fact using gender as self expression.
about the photographer
My art is a visual journal and memoir of my life. Growing up in a household of artists and musicians the idea of creating was quite ordinary; however like many families there wasn't much additional money to be spent on art supplies. But what my parents lacked in disposable funds, they greatly made up for with unconditional love and support. Any material I could find in the house was fair game, whether it was house paints, old fabrics, or even nail polishes. My mom taught me how to sew, and my Dad taught me how to use his tools. My love for art and fearlessness with material experimentation was realized.Later I went to Langley Fine Arts in Fort Langley where I studied art with a focus on photography. On a whim during my senior year I took a textiles course where I learned how to embroider, and it was like I finally learned how to communicate. By graduation I won the Hyeon Award for Mastery in their Medium for Embroidery.
Upon Graduation I started a career as a Visual Merchandiser and studied fashion, only working on my art as a hobby. But there was always this yearning to express my point of view. After a very rough patch in my life I realized how import art was to me and I started to explore with materials without schooling, agenda, or even an idea what I was doing; I began to create. Then with the image in my head of a field of wildflowers I began to embroider. After almost seven years of not practicing this craft it was like I finally spoke again after being quiet for so long.
My time spent working in fashion has influenced my work greatly. I am constantly inspired by and make reference to
back to gallery