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Drag Queens at Home: Jan Klos goes ‘behind the scenes’ to capture drag performers off stage

Shot away from the bars, clubs and stages they’re most often associated with, these revealing portraits by photographer Jan Klos go ‘behind-the-scenes’ and capture drag performers in the spaces most familiar to them: their homes.

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All images courtesy of the artist. Via Creative Boom submission.

All images courtesy of the artist. Via Creative Boom submission.

"Home is another extension of a person’s identity, and I wanted to juxtapose the carefully crafted drag alter ego with the day-to-day identity of their creator, in effect marrying the two personas and giving a full and layered picture of each sitter’s identity," Jan explains. "In essence, I like to think about it as a series of artist studio visits. On the stage, it’s like seeing an artwork in the gallery but we never get to see where the art has been created."

The inspiration behind the series, Drag Queens at Home, came from Jan's fascination with drag and how it can transform a person. "Not only in terms of the looks but also in terms of character," he adds. "I don’t mean it in the way how actors get into their characters on the stage – it makes people happier. I think drag is a form of modern therapy, you can become anyone/thing you want to be which is freeing and empowering."

Based in London, Jan Klos is an award-winning photographer whose work is a blend of documentary, portrait and fashion photography. He’s interested in notions of home, belonging and the ever-changing canvas of culture. Discover more: www.janklos.com.

Person in drag with long platinum blonde hair and blue eyeshadow stands in a residential courtyard wearing a corset and fishnet stockings, surrounded by potted plants and vintage chairs
A drag performer in a black dress with a pink headscarf and red gloves stands in a overgrown garden holding a colourful fan, with washing and a wooden chair visible nearby
Two drag performers pose on a residential street lined with colourful buildings, one in a bright pink fluffy top and the other in a black sparkly outfit with a party hat.
Two drag performers in full makeup pose together, one wearing a hot pink sequined dress with long blonde hair and dramatic blue eyeshadow, the other in a black sequined jacket with a blonde bob and pink-toned makeup
Drag performer with black wavy hair and pale makeup stands in a kitchen wearing a cream dress with black line drawings, alongside a washing machine and potted plants
A drag performer in an orange and purple outfit stands on a staircase with an ornate black metal bannister, gazing upwards with dramatic makeup and styled blonde hair.
A drag performer in a red patterned robe reclines on a mauve sofa in a bright living room with patterned curtains and a black bust sculpture beside them
Person with short dark curled hair wearing dramatic eye makeup and a red patterned top, resting their chin on their hand against a patterned wallpapered background
Person with pink hair wearing a pastel-coloured bodysuit with "Love Love" text, seated at a colourful vanity surrounded by toys, books and decorative items
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