‘TAMMY TSANAKA: Drag Lasts Forever – Interview on Drag Makeup’ is one of our online ISSUE segments, head to THE ETERNAL ISSUE for the complete experience
Who are you? How would you describe your drag persona?
I’m Tammy Tsanaka, a non-binary drag artist from Athens/Greece. My drag persona is pretty much myself but more confident, more outspoken and more expressive! She is the ultimate expression of who I am. Now as far as my aesthetics and visuals go, I always want to tell stories from an agender view. I always want to transform myself to a piece of moving art.
How did you start make-up and eventually drag?
When I was 21, I was studying animation and through my life art has always been the only way I could express how I felt. So, you can realise art slowly became my job and to an extend my source of anxiety. I felt trapped, like I couldn’t truly speak or express myself. Then I discovered makeup and every time I would paint myself this beautiful creature would appear take over my body, say what I wanted to say and fight my fights.
Who is your biggest drag inspiration/influence?
In my art I’m mostly inspired by my dreams, conversations I’ve had with people and other artists like my sister Violetta jadore or vander Von odd, dahli, arca and many others.
What do you find to be the most timeless value/practice/thing in drag that never grows old no matter?
In my opinion the thing that will always stay timeless in drag is the performance. Outer beauty fades with the years but soul is forever, it’s what truly makes you connect with the performer. It’s what makes drag truly magical to me.
What are the 3 must-dos and don’ts in drag makeup?
My 3 do’ s for drag make up are: Experiment, draw outside the lines and have fun with it! It’s not that serious. In my opinion there shouldn’t be dont’s in any art form. So, no dont’s from me dolls!
What’s “baking”?
Baking is when you make your skin so dry with loose powder that not even Niagara can rehydrate it. Well it’s a technique used by the old school drag queens to lock in their make up and intensify their highlights.
Is heavy contouring a must?
Contouring defers from face to face and what each person wants to look like. It’s all about preference.
How do you think drag influences mainstream beauty?
Drag has always been pushing boundaries in beauty! You can see the influence it’s has all over the place, from contouring to over lining your lips! Those are things that drag artists have created.9. I aspire to make art for a living!
What does Tammy aspire to achieve in the future?
I aspire to make things that others will feel connected to! I also aspire to create a safe space for everyone, me and my best friends have created a party called Barbie Psychanella so that everyone can enjoy what we have to offer and feel included!
Interview by Filippos Vogdanis & Konstantinos Tsagkaris
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