drag by Artemis Grey and Ezra Prince - photographed and designed by Hunter Pendleton
Some Form of Freedom is a collaborative photo documentary conceived of by three Queer artists: a photographer and two drag performers.
It was created as an exercise in empathetic, non-fiction storytelling and demonstrates the beauty of Queerness when celebrated with love and community.
It was created as an exercise in empathetic, non-fiction storytelling and demonstrates the beauty of Queerness when celebrated with love and community.
Some Form of Freedom is a collaborative photo documentary conceived of by three Queer artists: a photographer and two drag performers.
It was created as an exercise in empathetic, non-fiction storytelling and demonstrates the beauty of Queerness when celebrated with love and community.
It was created as an exercise in empathetic, non-fiction storytelling and demonstrates the beauty of Queerness when celebrated with love and community.
Some Form of Freedom is a collaborative photo documentary conceived of by three Queer artists: a photographer and two drag performers.
It was created as an exercise in empathetic, non-fiction storytelling and demonstrates the beauty of Queerness when celebrated with love and community.
It was created as an exercise in empathetic, non-fiction storytelling and demonstrates the beauty of Queerness when celebrated with love and community.
Drag by Ezra Prince and Artemis Grey - Photography and Design by Hunter Pendleton
Ezra Komo, 26, is a Queer Drag artist. He was born in Missouri and moved frequently throughout childhood before settling in Columbia, MO in 2017.
In January 2021, Ezra came out as transgender. Ezra uses he/they pronouns and performs under the name Ezra Prince.
In January 2021, Ezra came out as transgender. Ezra uses he/they pronouns and performs under the name Ezra Prince.
Ezra Komo, 26, is a Queer Drag artist. He was born in Missouri and moved frequently throughout childhood before settling in Columbia, MO in 2017.
In January 2021, Ezra came out as transgender. Ezra uses he/they pronouns and performs under the name Ezra Prince.
In January 2021, Ezra came out as transgender. Ezra uses he/they pronouns and performs under the name Ezra Prince.
Dayton Gerren, 20, is a Queer Drag artist. He is originally from Leslie, MO, a small town halfway between St. Louis and Jefferson City.
Dayton moved to Columbia April of 2021. They are genderfluid and have no real preference on pronouns - she performs under the name Artemis Grey.
Dayton moved to Columbia April of 2021. They are genderfluid and have no real preference on pronouns - she performs under the name Artemis Grey.
Dayton Gerren, 20, is a Queer Drag artist. He is originally from Leslie, MO, a small town halfway between St. Louis and Jefferson City.
Dayton moved to Columbia in April of 2021. They are genderfluid and have no real preference on pronouns - she performs under the name Artemis Grey.
Dayton moved to Columbia in April of 2021. They are genderfluid and have no real preference on pronouns - she performs under the name Artemis Grey.
In addition to being friends and frequent collaborators, these two artists are also roommates.
Ezra and Artemis were approached about creating a collaborative photo documentary to affirm their identities and showcase their Queerness. In addition to being the subjects of photography, they would also have control over which images were included in the final project.
Both artists were interviewed throughout the project, using these images. Their thoughts and feelings about them, as well as about the documentary process, were recorded and included in the final product.
This was the result.
In addition to being friends and frequent collaborators, these two artists are also roommates.
Ezra and Artemis were approached about creating a collaborative photo documentary to affirm their identities and showcase their Queerness. In addition to being the subjects of photography, they would also have control over which images were included in the final project.
Both artists were interviewed throughout the project, using these images. Their thoughts and feelings about them, as well as about the documentary process, were recorded and included in the final product.
This was the result.
Life at Home
Ezra and Dayton first met at a drag show where they were both performing in November 2020. Five months later, they decided to become roommates.
Now, after a year of living together, Ezra will be moving to Kansas City to live with his fiancé Sarah.
Ezra displays a leather coat he made while Dayton cooks dinner.
Ezra and Dayton decorate their apartment for the holidays.
Community
Reflections from Artemis Grey.
Community
Adapting to Changes
Dedication
Reflections from Ezra Prince.
Dedication
Artistic Collaboration
Ezra adds details and definition to his face before a show.
Artemis applies makeup to her face before dressing in her outfit for the evening.
Support and Identity
Reflections from Ezra Prince and Artemis Grey.
Support and Identity
Ezra peers at Artemis mid-performance. The two "dueled", lip-syncing and dancing in mock combat as audience members looked on and cheered.
Ezra peers at Artemis mid-performance. The two "dueled", lip-syncing and dancing in mock combat as audience members looked on and cheered.
Queer people, specifically those who are non-cisgender, demonstrate substantially higher rates of self-harm and suicidal ideation than non-Queer people. Studies have demonstrated that having even one person to support and affirm your identity substantially reduces that risk.
Queer people listed consuming and creating art as a substantial factor in reducing harmful behavior. Supporting Queer artists is a tangible step towards creating a brighter, more inclusive future for everyone.
Queer people listed consuming and creating art as a substantial factor in reducing harmful behavior. Supporting Queer artists is a tangible step towards creating a brighter, more inclusive future for everyone.
the Impact of Art
Queer people, specifically those who are non-cisgender, demonstrate substantially higher rates of self-harm and suicidal ideation than non-Queer people. Studies have demonstrated that having even one person to support and affirm your identity substantially reduces that risk.
Queer people listed consuming and creating art as a substantial factor in reducing harmful behavior. Supporting Queer artists is a tangible step towards creating a brighter, more inclusive future for everyone.
Queer people listed consuming and creating art as a substantial factor in reducing harmful behavior. Supporting Queer artists is a tangible step towards creating a brighter, more inclusive future for everyone.
the Impact of Art
Support
the
artists.
Support the Artists
About the Photographer
Hunter Pendleton is a non-fiction storyteller from Chicago, IL. They are non-binary and have no preference on pronouns.
They moved to Missouri to attend the Jonathan B. Murray Center for Documentary Journalism in 2017, and are in the process of completing their master's degree in Photojournalism.
In addition to photography and filmmaking, Hunter is also a musician, graphic designer, and amateur uniclyclist.
They moved to Missouri to attend the Jonathan B. Murray Center for Documentary Journalism in 2017, and are in the process of completing their master's degree in Photojournalism.
In addition to photography and filmmaking, Hunter is also a musician, graphic designer, and amateur uniclyclist.
About the Photographer
Hunter Pendleton is a non-fiction storyteller from Chicago, IL. They are non-binary and have no preference on pronouns.
They moved to Missouri to attend the Jonathan B. Murray Center for Documentary Journalism in 2017, and are in the process of completing their master's degree in Photojournalism.
In addition to photography and filmmaking, Hunter is also a musician, graphic designer, and amateur uniclyclist.
They moved to Missouri to attend the Jonathan B. Murray Center for Documentary Journalism in 2017, and are in the process of completing their master's degree in Photojournalism.
In addition to photography and filmmaking, Hunter is also a musician, graphic designer, and amateur uniclyclist.
