Life is Drag by Rachel Rampleman

SoMad—a femme and queer-led multidisciplinary art space in New York—is proud to present Life is Drag, a solo exhibition of new work by Brooklyn-based artist, archivist, and cultural anthropologist Rachel Rampleman. On view from September 18 to December 18, 2025, this presentation marks a defining chapter in Rampleman’s six-year project using high definition video to document over 370 performances of more than 200 drag artists. Featuring 24 never-before-seen video portraits of 12 visionary drag performers who embody the height of neo-burlesque and experimental drag, the exhibition serves as the culmination of Rampleman’s year-long residency at SoMad and reflects the creative apex of the project—which serves as the largest digital archive of drag performance in the United States.

Launched in 2019, Life is Drag has evolved into a vast chronicle of American drag culture, spanning cities, generations, and genres. Sparked by a fortuitous encounter with New York drag icon and community organizer Untitled Queen, the project has grown alongside Rampleman’s deepening immersion in the community to become an expansive celebration of drag in all its forms—from the spectrum of gender expression to experimental art and activism. At a moment when LGBTQIA+ spaces and drag as an art form are increasingly under attack, Life is Drag becomes more than documentation: it is a collective act of celebration and defiance, showcasing irrepressible performers who challenge convention, rewrite the rules, and embody the range of gender expression. In this spirit, the exhibition transforms SoMad into a space where drag is honored as both legacy and living ritual.

This latest chapter—comprising 24 new portraits, filmed entirely at SoMad’s Manhattan production studio—marks a powerful evolution in Life is Drag’s technical scope and cultural depth. Developed through a deeply collaborative process, this segment has been enhanced by the creative and technical contributions of SoMad. With elevated production resources and hands-on support from the organization’s community of artists, producers, and performers, Rampleman worked closely with each drag artist to refine and communicate their vision—reuniting with longtime collaborators and working for the first time with long-admired subjects. Among the featured artists—many of whom are also organizers and activists—are multidisciplinary artist Amygdala, drag and burlesque performer Divina GranSparkle, artist and community organizer Julie J, and drag king King Molasses.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

SoMad, 34 East 23rd Street, New York, United States