The story behind a photographic exhibition by Laura Simonsen.
As we enjoy the escalation of LGBT rights here in the U.S., Visualizer/Photographer Laura Simonsen has been hard at work documenting more marginal queer lives in China. The fruits of her visual labors are soon to be presented in an exhibition at Voxfire Gallery. Simonsen is herself a lesbian who has been with her partner for 12 years. They are raising two boys together, ages 5 and 3.
“Another Side of Me” is based on her work photographing a small group of drag queens in Hong Kong. “I am fascinated by their transformation, their energy, their exaggeration of expression and dramatic change in identity,” says Simonsen. “For a man to dress in women’s clothes and wear makeup is a creative outlet of self-expression for performance reasons. It is not always because they want to become a female themselves, as the majority of drag queens are content with being a man. There is a link however, and a mutual sense of support and admiration between the drag queen community and the transgender community.”
Simonsen aims, with this project, to “celebrate and bring awareness to both communities.” She focuses on one of the main protagonist, a drag artist named Simon. “Simon has created over the past 5 years the character and style of a Queen called Cleo Moans. Over the past few months I have spent time with both Simon and Cleo, with and without my camera,” says Simonsen. Simon is also supportive of the trans community and the project’s proceeds will go to supporting the Transgender Resource Centre (For more information go to www.tgr.org.hk).
“Though, as a drag artist, I do not identify as trans, I certainly identify with the need to express who I am. The character that I portray as Cleo Moans allows me show another side of me.” However, he draws a distinction between drag and transgender ‘identities’: “In drag, we feel a confidence because we are protected by the mask we wear. But for Trans people, they are not portraying a character. They are not performing. Being Trans is real life – it is identity. And I completely admire the courage that it takes for Trans people in Hong Kong, and all around the world, to become who they are meant to be.”
Another Side of Me:
Friday, Oct 30th – Sunday, Nov 1st, 2015 from 11am to 7pm
Voxfire Gallery
1/F 52 Gage Street (entrance on Aberdeen Street) –
MTR: Central exit D2 or Sheung Wan exit E2
For more info on Laura Simonsen’s work go to: laurasimonsen.com