Maude Boate :: Maudeville
5 Dec 2015 - 30 Jan 2016
Vicki Fayle Gallery
5 December - 30 January
Vicki Fayle Gallery
An exhibition of the costumes of Maude Boate, the Queen of Lismore’s drag queens. She is the creation of Michael Gates who as a fourth generation Lismore man, son of a former Lismore mayor, ex-owner of Lismore Bridal, and current events Coordinator of the Tropical Fruits Festival, is a local identity in his own right.
Maude came into being in the 80s performing at venues such as the Albury in Sydney. Her signature sculpted wigs became known outside the gay club scene when they were adapted for the stage play and movie, Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. Maude's polystyrene wigs were shown in 1996 in the Powerhouse in Sydney in an exhibition called Absolutely Mardi Gra. They acquired two pieces.
Maude has won 18 Diva Awards (Drag Industry Variety Awards) and in 2007 was inducted in the DIVA Hall of Fame. She has been the ultimate model for Michael's, whose incredible costumes range from the glamorous to the humorous. Maude came into being as a larger than life onslaught against conservative prurience against homosexuality and queerness. Never one to whisper she has continued to declare herself, refusing to be anything but fabulous.