Utopia

Laser cutting Acrylic Perspex, I designed and made 24 awards for the 3rd installment + 30 awards for the 4th installment of Utopia Ball + Fashion Show organised by Yamuna Forzani in 2019 & 2021. These awards were given to the winners of the categories of this ballroom function including; Face, Body, New Way and Realness.

The Ballroom Scene is a vibrant and inclusive subculture within the LGBTQIA+ community, originating in New York City. Beginning in the late 1970s and 1980s, members of the African-American and Latino community, particularly drag queens, came together to create their own pageants as a response to racism in established pageant circuits. Today, the Ballroom Scene encompasses a wide range of categories that are open to all members of the LGBTQIA+ community. Participants, referred to as “walkers,” compete for trophies and cash prizes in these categories. Many members of the Ballroom Scene belong to groups known as “houses,” which function as chosen families and provide support and community for those who may not have it in their families of origin. It is an honor and privilege to design and create awards for the talented and dedicated members of the Ballroom Scene.