Photo: Karina Rønning
Modell: Daniel Vals and Lady Francesca from Drag Syndrome
Contexts: The Art of Drag Seminar 2025
THE ART OF DRAG SEMINAR: SUMMARIES
The Art of Drag Seminar took place on September 27th at Oslo Metropolitan University. The seminar was structured around three key sessions:
Session 1 – Drag as an Art Form in Society
Session 2 – Drag as an Inclusive Practice
Session 3 – Drag from an Academic Perspective
The seminar featured a diverse lineup of national and international speakers who each contributed unique perspectives on drag as both an artistic and social phenomenon. Among the main speakers were Katinka Steensgaard (Elektra Puzzz), Shlomi Ruimi (Mimi Devine), Bland Drakar och Dragqueens (Petter Wallenberg and Inga Tvivel), Drag Syndrome (Daniel Vals and Lady Francesca), and Kareem Khubchandani (LaWhore Vagistan).
Together, they explored how drag operates as a cultural force—challenging norms, creating spaces of inclusion, and bridging art, activism, and academia.
The following articles are summaries of each presentation, written by the students from the course Drag in society.
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Shlomi Ruimi // Mimi Devine
A drag artist, creating show where the personal, drag and dance meet.
Written by Renate Snarud Lysholm
Photographer: Karina Rønning -
Bland Drakar och Drag Queens
The biggest drag-theatre company in the North. Making drag shows for children, youth and adults.
Written by Maia Dietrichson
Photographer: Karina Rønning -
Katinka Steensgaard // Elektra Puzzz
The founder of Oslo Drag School and toured around the north with her drag show, Masculinity, on upper secondary schools.
Written by Storm Drabitius
Photographer: Karina Rønning -
Drag Syndrome
A drag group consisting of drag artists with Down syndrome, who break with expectations and prejudices.
Written by Christer Reitan
Photographer: Karina Rønning -
Kareem Khubchandani // LaWhore Vagistan
A drag and performance academic based in Tuft University in USA. They have written books about drag with an decolonize perspective.
Written by Torbjørn Urfjell
Photographer: Karina Rønning