Pippa Scott

Bratpack

I have long been interested in Drag Artists. There is something so magnetic and compelling about them. It is not uncommon for them to be portrayed in vulgar and grotesque ways but this does not do them justice. There was zero part of me that saw them as outcasts but instead leaders. They are the ones to envy, the ones who set the path to follow. I was immediately drawn to a group of drag queens known as the “Bratpack”. Drag queens traditionally perform alone, yet here was a group of 5 who very much reminded me of a band. There was, however, one key difference – in a band you only have one lead singer and one lead guitarist. Having worked in the music industry in my twenties there was a joke that if anyone in the group was likely to fight it would be the singer and the guitarist who traditionally have fought one another for the spotlight. By contrast, in the Bratpack there were truly 5 lead singers/guitarists. That was a fascinating energy to watch. My approach to working with the group was to show the authenticity of who they are respectfully and sensitively. The documentary approach is key here as it enabled me to earn their trust by committing my time to them fully. I wanted my images to show the heart, vulnerability, kindness, love and passion that was so evident to me in spending so much time with them. Their intensity and charisma shone through. I think there is a misconception on the amount of time, energy, passion and hard work that is integral to their art. The makeup alone takes 3 hours or more. I remember being impressed by their stamina - one night during the show one of the group informed the audience that one of their members had been in a serious car crash the day before but not to worry as she was still there to give it her all and perform. Just like a true professional each artist put their heart in to every single show and that dedication and loyalty to their audience pays off. Just step in to one of their shows and you can almost feel the electricity from their performance. The fans can’t get enough. I hope to continue this project in the longer term. This is my love letter to the truth of these performers and my hope as a fellow artist is that it translates through my imagery.

Photographer

Pippa Scott

Pippa was born in Canada and spent her formative years at a Hogwarts-like boarding school in England. After attending The University of Manchester she re-located to London, NYC and Los Angeles where she worked in the film industry for a decade and trained in musical theatre on Broadway. She is now based in her home town of Vancouver.
It is probably fitting that she worked in the entertainment industry for so long as her friends describe her as intense, dramatic and empathetic, all qualities that inform her artistic voice. Her guiding principle in documentary photography is trust. She seeks always to earn the trust of her subjects and so produces images that are sensitive, vulnerable and honest. Just as she learnt from her time studying theatre, there is no greater beauty than when we are truly our authentic selves. The desire to capture this authenticity drives her decision-making as she documents through photography.

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