DREAM
"I'M A YOUNG, NAÏVE, QUEER ARTIST AND I HAVE ALWAYS WANTED TO BE DIFFERENT"
On her path to exploring and embracing Drag
I was already exploring using my face as a canvas while studying fashion. As I was watching RuPaul’s drag race, I researched what a drag queen actually is and the aspect of ‘activism’ behind it - what goes into it, the performativity, the dress and the identity. I realised that they align with my own beliefs. So, I figured why not. Also, I’m a young, naïve, queer artist and I have always wanted to be different.
On how drag culture and being a drag queen helped her come closer to her ‘true’ identity
Drag has definitely pushed my emotional, physical and mental limits. It really forced me to confront my upbringing - its tension between who I was told to be and how to think versus what I want to be and who I am. ‘Arya’ definitely is a heightened version of who Lucas [actual name] is, so it's pretty empowering to look back and see how these desires, behaviours, and passion come from me.
ARYA D.
Arya (@arya.dunn), Drag Queen
Arya Dunn is a new generation renowned Singapore based drag queen who strives to blend entertainment with art. Drag, for Arya is the outlet of her creative expressions and the culmination of her artistic juices. Every drag queen has their own personality and uniqueness. Arya is more than just lip-syncing and extravagant dance moves.
Written by Vrinda Maheshwari & Mini Biswas
Photography by Leonard Wong
"I'M A YOUNG, NAÏVE, QUEER ARTIST AND I HAVE ALWAYS WANTED TO BE DIFFERENT"
On her path to exploring and embracing Drag
I was already exploring using my face as a canvas while studying fashion. As I was watching RuPaul’s drag race, I researched what a drag queen actually is and the aspect of ‘activism’ behind it - what goes into it, the performativity, the dress and the identity. I realised that they align with my own beliefs. So, I figured why not. Also, I’m a young, naïve, queer artist and I have always wanted to be different.
On how drag culture and being a drag queen helped her come closer to her ‘true’ identity
Drag has definitely pushed my emotional, physical and mental limits. It really forced me to confront my upbringing - its tension between who I was told to be and how to think versus what I want to be and who I am. ‘Arya’ definitely is a heightened version of who Lucas [actual name] is, so it's pretty empowering to look back and see how these desires, behaviours, and passion come from me.
