Drag artist Admira does a show at Fotografiska: "Sometimes you are unfortunately placed in a joke box"

Projected images cover the walls in the airy venue at Fotografiska in Stockholm. The photographs depict Adam Risberg, Admira, in various extravagant dresses and dramatic make-up – but also images from the make-up removal process.

- It's the best part after a long night as a drag artist, to be able to take everything off and feel: "God, how nice it will be to not have to look good," says Adam Risberg.

On Friday, November 13, the venue will be filled with visitors who have come to take part in "Art of: drag", a performing arts concept where Adam Risberg examines and celebrates the artistic expression of drag.

- You will take part in drag shows with guest artists, photos from filming, videos from historical drag shows and panel discussions where we talk about the craft and history behind drag, he says.

Being able to make moves at Fotografiska describes Adam as a privilege, because the place underlines that the art form deserves a place in our culture.

- Historically, drag has questioned and created discussion - and that's art if anything. It's an honor to be able to enter these slightly more exclusive rooms and be able to put a move on the pedestal that I think it deserves.

Adam Risberg has been a drag artist for over 15 years and in 2023 won the first season of "Drag race Sweden". He does everything himself, from standing on stage and singing, to sewing his own costumes and making wigs. He says that the craft requires an enormous amount of time and creativity, but that he is not always taken seriously and seen as an artist.

- Unfortunately, you are sometimes placed in a joke compartment, for better or for worse. That move would be clownish in a bad way. I find that sometimes I have a long way to go to get people to see me as a real creator, and not just a gay guy dressing up to get attention.

This is exactly why Adam thinks it feels extra important to now take the art of drawing to Fotografiska.

- It shows that we are taken as artists and artists all the way out, says Adam Risberg.

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