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ULTIMATE

26

Tommy Ton

Werk! Qweens

Estimate
£20,000 - 30,000
£20,000
Lot Details
Unique polyptych, comprising nine chromogenic prints, each flush-mounted.
2017
Each image: 59.5 x 48.6 cm (23 3/8 x 19 1/8 in.)
Each frame: 65.5 x 54.6 cm (25 3/4 x 21 1/2 in.)
Overall: 200.5 x 167.8 cm (78 7/8 x 66 1/8 in.)
Signed and dated in ink, printed title and date on a Certificate of Authenticity accompanying the work.

This work is unique.
Catalogue Essay
Top: Meatball, Stephon ‘Steph’ Mendoza, Diana Dash
Middle: Merrie Cherry, Shea Coulée, Unknown
Bottom: Kim Chi, Unknown, Aja

The nine captivating photographs in Werk! Qweens were taken by Tommy Ton, one of the world’s most influential street style photographers, outside the first RuPaul DragCon in New York City in September 2017. Founded by RuPaul, one of America’s most famous drag performers, DragCon is the world’s largest drag convention and the event of the season for drag queens and their fans. Ton was there to record the vibrant colours and the energy as the drag queens flocked to the streets.

Stephon ‘Steph’ Mendoza poses elegantly in one of his signature hats while Brooklyn-based drag queen Merrie Cherry dances on the crosswalk. Shea Coulée, a former RuPaul Drag Race contestant and musician, stands her ground in the middle of the street, her blue fur coat billowing out behind her. Aja, another former RuPaul Drag Race contestant and founding member of the Haus of Aja, poses for the camera before dashing behind the parked cars. With his candid, witty and instinctive approach, Ton captures how fashion is used as an expression of individual creativity and identity.

Since the launch of his fashion blog Jak & Jil (now tommyton.com) in 2007, Ton has continued to push the boundaries of street style photography, paving the way for a new digital generation. As seen in the present work, he is inspired by how people express themselves in the streets and his deep fascination with fashion influences his eye for detail. Ton’s images have been widely published, appearing in The New York Times and The Boston Globe, as well as on Style.com and GQ.com. He has collaborated with many global brands, including Louis Vuitton, Michael Kors and Swarovski and is active as a social media influencer with a unique take on fashion and culture. This unique work by Ton has been created exclusively for ULTIMATE and is available for sale for the first time.

Tommy Ton

CanadianBrowse Artist