Magnus Hastings is a distinguished photographer renowned for his vibrant and insightful portraits, particularly within the drag and LGBTQ+ communities. Born and raised in London, he attended the King Alfred School, Chelsea Art School, and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Initially pursuing acting, Hastings discovered a deeper passion for photography in his teens and transitioned to it professionally after drama school.
Immersed in London’s dynamic gay scene, Hastings developed a profound appreciation for drag culture, which became a central theme in his work. In 2005, he travelled to Sydney to document its vibrant drag scene, marking the beginning of his enduring engagement with drag artistry. His project “Why Drag?” culminated in a critically acclaimed New York exhibition in 2014 and a bestselling book published by Chronicle Books in 2016.
Relocating to Los Angeles in 2011, Hastings continued to explore and document drag culture across the United States. His expertise led to appearances as a guest photographer on “RuPaul’s Drag Race” in 2015 and as a recurring judge on the first two seasons of “The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula.”
In 2018, Hastings launched the #Gayface project, inviting individuals from the queer community to express their identities within a 6.5ft x 6.5ft box. This project evolved into “Rainbow Revolution,” a book released in November 2020 that combines these portraits with personal essays, celebrating the diversity of queer identities.
In 2024, Hastings was honoured with a solo exhibition titled “QUEEN” at the Walker Gallery in Liverpool, England. The exhibition showcased his most iconic drag photographs alongside new works, including commissioned portraits of local drag artists. Spanning over 650 square meters, the exhibition attracted 15,000 visitors in four weeks, featuring floor-to-ceiling images and an interactive life-size box for attendees to photograph themselves.
Throughout his career, Magnus Hastings has been celebrated for capturing the artistry, resilience, and diversity of the drag and LGBTQ+ communities, contributing significantly to their visibility and appreciation in contemporary culture.
In this episode of the Pearl Lam Podcast, Pearl and Magnus delve into his journey as a photographer, discussing how he became involved in the world of drag and the impact his work has had on both the community and the broader public perception of drag culture. They explore some of his most iconic photographs, the stories behind them, and the importance of representation in the media.
Visit Magnus Hastings’s official website here.
