New York photographer Leland Bobbé‘s project “Half Drag” has sprung into full fruition. Just this past March, he photographed drag queen Sabel Scities with drag makeup on half of his face and au natural on the other. Bobbé posted the stunning portrait online, stating that he had four more different photos in the same style and that his goal was to try and see where these might take him. Only a few months later, the project greatly expanded with over 30 different drag queens photographed thus far, with more to come.
Impressively, none of the split is done on the computer. Instead, each side of the queens’ faces is done entirely with makeup—most of it by the subjects themselves. Bobbé explains the powerful dichotomy of the project, telling Huffington Post Gay Voices, “Through the power of hair and makeup these men are able to completely transform themselves and find their female side while simultaneously showing their male side.” With these incredible photographs, the presence of both identities can interact simultaneously, visually revealing the beautiful complexity of each individual.
Images by Leland Bobbé
