Art That Mattersby Spannenburg.Art
← Back to Collection
A black and white conceptual fine art portrait for the ESTRANGED series by ARJAN SPANNENBURG, featuring a person in drag among Japanese maple leaves.

More from the series

ESTRANGED (series) →
A black and white conceptual fine art portrait of RICARDO for the ESTRANGED series by ARJAN SPANNENBURG, featuring a man among prickly holly leaves.A black and white fine art portrait of a young male model named Max standing partially hidden behind leafy branches.High-contrast monochrome photography of a young man partially hidden by ivy leaves, capturing the theme of self-worth and independence in ARJAN SPANNENBURG'S ESTRANGED series.High-contrast monochrome photography of a young man with closed eyes, surrounded by chestnut tree branches and leaves, exploring themes of truth and identity in ARJAN SPANNENBURG'S ESTRANGED series.A high-contrast black and white conceptual portrait of STAN for the ESTRANGED series by ARJAN SPANNENBURG, featuring a man looking through dense foliage.High-contrast monochrome photography of a young man with wavy hair partially hidden by locust tree leaves, exploring themes of home and understanding in ARJAN SPANNENBURG'S ESTRANGED series.
Arjan Spannenburg

ESTRANGED - LUX

"A captivating dual-narrative of self-discovery, tracing the evolution from a child's secret glitter-filled play to the professional stage of drag artistry."

The Narrative

From the washroom mirror to the spotlight

In this enchanting chapter of the ESTRANGED series, ARJAN SPANNENBURG explores the intersection of childhood curiosity and adult artistic fulfillment. Through the portrait of LUX, the artist visualizes the long-suppressed urge to create and perform. SPANNENBURG utilizes the delicate, intricate leaves of a Japanese maple to represent the fine detail and layering involved in the art of drag. The artwork captures the pivotal shift from "hiding in the bathroom" with a sister's makeup to the bold, public reclamation of the stage. It is a study of the pandemic not just as a period of isolation, but as a cocooning phase that allowed an artist's first wig and eyeshadow palette to become tools of profound psychological survival.

The harmonious coexistence of Daan and Lux

SPANNENBURG’S motivation for this piece is to document the joy found in the LHBT+ community's shared spaces, where dreams transition into reality. By placing LUX within the dappled light and complex shadows of the maple tree, the artist mirrors the multifaceted nature of the subject's identity. As LUX reflects on the ultimate achievement of their creative journey: I have never felt so good, as Daan and as Lux. This work serves as an institutional record of drag as a holistic medium that unites fashion, dance, and theatre into a singular expression of the self. For the collector, this piece offers a narrative of triumph, illustrating how a "pink glitter dress" from a childhood bin can eventually lead to the radiant confidence of a performer standing in their own light.

Download fact sheet (PDF)

Visual Analysis

A vertical black and white photograph depicting a person in drag, seen from the chest up, standing behind a branch of a Japanese maple tree. The subject has long, straight hair and dramatic, long eyelashes, looking upward and slightly away with a contemplative expression. They are wearing a patterned top and a heavy, chain-link necklace. Their hands, clad in fingerless gloves with a graphic print, are visible as they gently hold the delicate, palmate leaves of the maple. The lighting is focused on the face and torso, creating a bright highlight that contrasts with the dark, out-of-focus foliage in the background, emphasizing the subject's poise.

Configure Your Edition

Select Size & Edition

Select Material / Finish

Year

2022

Genres

PortraitureMasculine VulnerabilityConceptualFine Art PhotographyMental HealthComing of AgeQueerConceptualLGBTQ+