Photographer: Asafe Ghalib
Model: Effigy of Chaos
I first met Asafe at The Glory, a queer venue in Haggerston which is where I kicked off my journey into the London drag scene. It seems like a different time now, but finding a space where I could show off my drag was exactly what I needed, and meeting Asafe was a big part of this.
I have always wanted to become a drag pornstar, showcase my body as a product to be consumed but also as a statement for freedom. I like to portray my physique as an enigmatic genderless vision. An effigy to desire and sensuality. Redefining spaces, process, relationships and ideas it is something that we all need to do right now. Social distancing has become an unexpected but interesting new factor in the creative process equation. I found new meanings for old dreams and I could reinvent myself and what drag means to me throughout this period of isolation.
This facetime photoshoot with my inspiring and talented friend is a result of our daily and obsessive chatting by DMs. We are constantly trying to motivate each, other exchanging references and thoughts and by that exchange come up with edgy and provocative artworks. We have so much in common from our biographies to origins and interests. That is why we flow and instantly connect very easily when we are immersed in the creative process. Our friendship started as a collaboration and it was definitely the best way possible to start a long time partnership.
I feel like there’s a huge sense of urgency and high level of anxiety going on and these feelings when they are turn into creative energy it’s a powerful weapon to make you unstoppable. Everyone needs art. Art, beauty, and porn as an essential service to keep you sane and to offer an escape from isolation. Recognise myself as a drag who likes to picture herself as a pornstar it was a real epiphany during quarantine. I used to be reluctant to the idea of presenting myself as a sex worker but just like everything else the definitions of sex worker and porn are up in the air and subject to changes and updates. The world it s closed for a very needed reflection but as creative people we are not allowed to keep our minds blocked in times like this. As my dear friend Asafe says and states in his Instagram profile – you have a voice, use it.
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