Tulle Queer 2025: Paparazzi
Photo by Brian Nguyen
For Tulle Queer year 4, I created 12 new images throughout May and June of 2025 to celebrate some of our local queer icons in a one-night-only event at West Art in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Back at West Art for the second year, the night took place in the second-floor Sanctuary, where the room was packed from 5 to 9 PM. The evening featured a queer art market, music by GiGi Marrero, and drag performances by Nevaeha Le’Vixenn, Diane Decay, NES, and Charlize Angelz.
This year’s Tulle Queer photo catalogue honored local stars Kat Griggers, George Lopez, Nina Padilla, Mary Fink, John Elliot, Nevaeha Le’Vixenn, Mark Paterniti, Noni Sheila, Isaac Se Young Um, Eddie Berkoski, NES, Fai Khalidah, Kayyora Morales, Charlize Angelz, Necla Kara, and Sible Sible Stackhouse, and introduced the reveal of Brady Pappas’ drag fantasy, Papparazzi. The gallery walls were also decorated with returning photographs from past seasons, featuring Brian Graves, Reed Frye, Tragedy Stackhouse, Amethyst Diamond, Karma Sutra, Giavacious, and Alejandra Franqui.
The queer art market featured MX Darling Creations, Clover Vasquez, Andrew Charney, Eddie Berkoski, Sweet and Sowers Shop, Wildflowers Glassworks, and Necla Kara.
With past exhibition themes like Give Them Flowers and House of Tulle, Paparazzi pays homage to the queer star power it takes to choose to live big in rural PA.
Portraits of Paparazzi
This year’s collection, Paparazzi, is the largest I’ve ever shared: 12 new portraits, 17 icons, and more tulle than ever before. When I think of this theme, I remember the concept of an artist lineage, first introduced to me by Tifani TrueLove. An artist lineage, to me, is the culmination of everything you’ve learned, been inspired by, and lived through to become the artist you are today. And when I look at this collection, that’s what it feels like. It feels like my favorite music videos, stacks of Vogue magazines, and the world I escaped to as a kid. It’s the superpower all small-town queer people have: the ability to see everything as romantic. Paparazzi was brought to you by the everyday miracles found in often overlooked places, for stars who are creating magic against the odds.
EVENT PHOTOS
Photography by the lovely Brian Nguyen
Thank you to everyone who was involved with this year’s exhibition and to all who attended. I feel incredibly grateful.
Brady ♡