Behind the Zip: Drag King History in Australia
Behind the Zip: Drag King History in Australia
Image: Behind the Zip. Sexy Galexy and entourage, Seeze Ball Sydney. Image courtesy the artist.
Artist/s statement
Subversive. Sexy. Stealthy. When the history of drag king culture is written, it’ll be the story of audacious women and trailblazing non-conformists re-fashioning male culture for the queer gaze. After thousands of years of male impersonation in the arts — and 50 years since the term 'Drag King' entered the lexicon – it’s time for the remarkable story of Australia’s drag kingdom, bulging with subversive humour and muscular determination, to be told.
It’s time to find out what’s Behind the Zip.
Spearheaded by legendary drag king performer, Sexy Galexy, Behind the Zip is a documentary expedition and exhibition of Australia’s drag king culture, to be showcased during Sydney WorldPride’s official WorldArts program in February 2023. Shining a light on a side of drag culture that’s rarely seen in the mainstream, Behind the Zip really goes to prove that behind every great ‘man’, you’ll find a gender-bending illusionist whose very existence is a middle finger to conventionality.
Behind the Zip is a curated, free, multi-media exhibition of Drag King materials, photographic collections, video art and object installations. Sexy and Kerrie create a visual timeline that will be activated by QR Codes linked to a website where a collection of interviews of national Drag Kings from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, NT, and Perth will be accessed.
Opening night will include Drag King performances by Sexy Galexy, Guy Alias and First Nations Rock Hard. There will be a DJ set by Drag King Jayvante Swing.
A Drag King panel hosted by broadcaster Kerrie Stanley (ABC Mardi Gras special 2020-21), featuring past and current performers in an intergenerational conversation about their craft in envisioning, creating and presenting cross gendered performance, as well as a discussion on creating spaces for Drag Kings. Panellists include Sexy Galexy (NSW/WA), Bumpy Favell (VIC), Tricky Boombang and Rock Hard (QLD).
A Drag King workshop, hosted by Sexy Galexy and Kerrie Stanley, will include guidance on stage craft, costume and make-up for emerging Drag Kings. Participants will be selected upon application. For more information email glamourboiproductions@gmail.com
Opening night: Thursday 16 February 6:00pm to 9:00pm – Featuring performances by Sexy Galexy, Guy Alias and Rock Hard with a DJ set by Javante Swing.
Saturday 18 Feb, 2.30pm – 4.30pm: Q&A
A panel discussion hosted by broadcaster Kerrie Stanley featuring past and current performers in an intergenerational conversation.
Tuesday 21 Feb, 6pm – 8pm: Drag King Workshop (registrations required)
A workshop hosted by Sexy Galexy and Kerrie Stanley with guidance on stage craft, costume and makeup for emerging Drag Kings. Email info@kerriestanley.com, places are limited. Take a deeper dive into Drag King culture with offsite performances at The Imperial as Club King presents Drag King Legends on Friday 18 Feb, 9pm to 3am.
Exhibition runs: 16 February to 5 March 2023
Accessibility Information: The gallery has an accessible bathroom. There is a set of stairs inside the building and a lift for wheelchair access.
Enquiries for opening hours: Sexy Galexy and Kerrie Stanley via email glamourboiproductions@gmail.com or phone 0412 670 865.