Tammie Brown
Rag Queenz
Galveston Arts Center presents Rag Queenz by Tammie Brown. The exhibition highlights Tammie’s visual arts practice that has developed in tandem with her celebrated career as a drag performer, reality television star, and recording artist. The exhibition features a series of Tammie’s Rag Queenz, hand-made dolls created from designer nylons embellished with embroidery and repurposed materials, as well as “facial impressions” featuring the imprint of the artist’s likeness on make-up wipes. Tammie’s Rag Queenz are inspired by her childhood growing up in Mexico and influenced by the craftsmanship and labor of the native artistry of central and western Mexico. This early influence is combined with inspiration from the Southern California drag scene and artists such as Fadra Fae, Delta Work, and the notorious Tranimal exhibits of photographer Austin Young. Her dolls feature hand sewn and embellished faces with their bodies wrapped in snakes which symbolize the nature of flexibility for the artist. As a self-taught artist, Tammie has created and offered her work through live streams on social media platforms. The exhibition at Galveston Arts Center is the first gallery presentation of her work.