Queens of The Nick: Photographs by Cole Martin

“The Polaroids I shared with you were taken at a monthly drag show at a dive bar called The Nick in Birmingham, AL. Angel Fazce, the host, calls it an alternative drag show. There's no pageant drag in the room. Everyone performing has a style of their own. It's a very welcoming community of performers and fans. I joined the crowd one night to watch my friend Eve perform in drag for the first time. I enjoyed it all so much. I wanted to contribute to it in some way. I came back with my Polaroid camera to photograph Eve's partner Sissy and our mutual friend Alexei perform in the show for the first time. The two are posing in front of the dirtiest American flag I've ever seen which hangs on the stage. I asked them to give me presidential campaign poses for the portraits. The portraits of Eve and Angel Fazce came after their performances. Eve jumped on top of a pinball machine in the bar and demanded I take her photo, so I did. Angel Fazce is posed in the performers' small dressing room after lip syncing to Sweet Home Alabama. The look and performance was dedicated to her hometown, Walker county--known for the highest opioid abuse cases in the nation.”

Cole Martin is a Nashville based photographer. You can find more of his portraits on his instagram @colemrtin.