Expressed in a collection of garments, ‘Focus On Me’ critiques the norms of white heteronormativity imposed on the queer community and drag culture. Researching the art of drag encouraged me to integrate the concept of flow, a combination of focus and enjoyment, a crucial component of performance art. The collection is worn and displayed by local trans-identifying and BIPOC drag performers in a short video, capturing how the garments restrict flow, representing the confinement queer individuals may feel in social spaces or within their own bodies. I considered different ways in which I could restrain movement and how it would affect the performer's flow. This involved discussion with the performers regarding what aspects of their bodies they relied on most when performing.
Although Ann Arbor is viewed as a progressive inclusive city, I have noticed there are little to no queer spaces here. Because of this, local drag artists struggle to find gigs, especially transgender, non-binary and/or BIPOC artists because mainstream drag representation has overshadowed them. I wanted to create a project that highlights the members of the community who paved the way for drag while incorporating fashion as a tool of expression.
