HOLESTAR

Holestar is an artist, performer, DJ and Tranny.
She has appeared in galleries, clubs and events extensively throughout Europe, New York and the UK. At events from Vienna’s Life Ball to Kashpoint, the V&A Museum and ICA to Glastonbury and Lovebox Festivals.

Artist Profile

After a two years in the British Army, Holestar's artistic education began taking a Photography National Diploma at Hereford College of Art and Design, followed by a BA Photography (Hons) at Blackpool and the Fylde before moving to Vienna, Austria. She returned to the UK and in 2008, completed a Masters degree in Fine Art at Central St Martins School of Art & Design.

Akin to the work of Cindy Sherman, Holestar has chosen to use her body in a series of self-portraits to express herself in varying guises, using various mediums. Her theoretical influences have changed yet the focus has remained one of exploration and identity. Having previously worked with sex, gender and modern celebrity, Holestar's current work explores personal biography, experience and opinion through film, installation and performance.Through her performance work she is in a fortunate position to merge the confines of high and low brow culture.

Holestar's artistic intention is to blur the boundaries between the avant-garde and mass entertainment, pop culture and the underground. Indulging both those who worship at the altar of the contemporary art gallery and at the bowels of mass media.

Drag Goddess: A woman who dresses as a man, dressing as a woman.

While living in Vienna and not wanting to fall into a drag king role, Holestar was inspired by the Blake Edwards film Victor/Victoria and started to create her drag character, celebrating exaggerated symbols femininity, reclaiming elaborate feminine codes from drag queens to the female body and subverting expectations.

At the Vienna Life Ball (Europe’s biggest AIDS benefit) she met a DJ who asked her to talk over his sets as an event host. Discovering she had a voice, Holestar then moved into singing live and performing live bootlegs/mash ups (taking an instrumental track and singing the lyrics of another over the top) from electro, pop, disco and rock. She has since expanded her performative personae by performing lip synchs, spoken word, acting and singing standards as well as incorporating it into art work.

Holestar has performed extensively in this guise in club and art spaces in Austria, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Turkey, New York and UK.

Alternative Education
Pirate Club
Gazelland Magazine 'Nude' and 'Art' London launches
GYBO 5th Anniversary
Welcome to the Downlow - Fun-Raiser