SoMad 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 380 performances of more than 200 drag artists. Featuring 25 never-before-seen video portraits of 14 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.
Every sale is split equally between the Performer, Rachel Rampleman, and SoMad—directly powering performers' creativity, the continuation of this archive, and SoMad's commitment to queer cultural production. The Life is Drag x SoMad 2025 Archive Collection is also available for acquisition in its entirety; institutional collectors please inquire.