DIA DE LAS DRAG QUEENS
Día de las Drag Queens is a fine art movement and commercial brand bridging Mexican heritage, drag culture, and socio-political commentary. Originating as a site-specific installation framing drag queens as martyrs against the backdrop of Día de los Muertos, the project critiques the political and cultural persecution of LGBTQ+, trans, and POC communities.
What began as an intimate neighborhood gallery activation evolved into an international touring exhibition across Puerto Rico, St. Croix, and North Carolina. Scaling the concept from fine art into commercial retail, the original handcrafted papier-mâché sculptures were productized into fine-art heads and luxury holiday ornaments. Selected for the NY NOW Incubator, the brand secured wholesale placement in premier cultural retailers including the Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA) Boston Store and Eight Million Gods alongside avant-garde icons like Walter Van Beirendonck, before expanding into a print-on-demand streetwear capsule.
GOD SAVE THE QUEENS
-
PHASE 01
Inaugural Solo Installation & Site-Specific ActivationConcept:
Conceived fine-art sculptures framing drag queens as martyrs—crucified by media, political, and religious institutions—juxtaposed against the sacred, celebratory spirit of Día de los Muertos.Activation:
Installed as a month-long site-specific feature throughout October at Good Head Barbershop, a local LGBTQ+ Puerto Rican–owned community hub.Event Direction:
Produced and hosted an intimate November 2nd closing ceremony featuring a private live acoustic performance to anchor the Día de los Muertos celebration.Acquisition:
The original inaugural feature piece was acquired by a private collector at the conclusion of the run.
PHASE 02
International Exhibition Tour & Institutional ShowcasesFollowing the inaugural sale, a second edition featuring a new colorway was produced and selected for an international exhibition tour:
Fuerzafest (Hispanic Federation) — North Carolina
“Empower Yourself” Academy (Waves Ahead) — Puerto Rico
Artist Residency & "United in Pride" Exhibition (Sponsored by Hispanic Federation & Waves Ahead) — CMCArts, St. Croix
PHASE 03
Productization, Wholesale & High-End Retail PlacementHandcrafted Sculptural Line:
Scaled the original papier-mâché installation concept into a commercial collection of individual fine-art head sculptures and luxury holiday ornaments—each piece sculpted and finished by hand.Retail & Incubator Selection:
Selected for the NY NOW Incubator Program, leading directly to wholesale distribution across prestigious museum stores and luxury boutiques:CA Store (Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston):
Carried in the retail store of Boston's premier contemporary art museum.Eight Million Gods:
Placed alongside world-renowned avant-garde designers and contemporary fashion icons, including Walter Van Beirendonck.Protest Essentials Apparel:
Expanded the visual identity into a print-on-demand streetwear capsule designed as stylized "protest essentials" (apparel and accessories).
Core Competencies & Capabilities
Fine Art & Fabrication:
Sculpting, papier-mâché, mixed-media construction, and custom colorway design.Creative Direction & Curation:
Narrative development, site transformations, and live event production.Brand Scaling & Retail Strategy:
Translating political art into a high-end wholesale brand with tier-one museum and boutique retail accounts.
