Uncaged is an oil painting of Violet Chachki, an influential drag queen who is leading the way for queer artists on elite fashion runways and red carpets, including the Met Gala. This image was taken from “Caged Heat” by Steven Klein. Pushing through the procession of provocation, this image of Violet breaks barriers as it redefines gender bending.

 

By breaking through the deep held ideas of sexuality and gender identity, Klein used a jailhouse setting for the photoshoot as a metaphor for life. That which holds us, sets us free. By showing both sides of the jailhouse, we get a fix on the fact that focusing on differences only forced a divide. Daring to explore, we find that it’s our unique qualities that truly allow us to flourish. Dressed in drag, Violet celebrates the belief that inclusion invites as extremity insights.