Dorothy

"Judy Garland has been a queer icon for generations. Many gay men, in particular, have identified with her struggles, her iconic camp aesthetic, and her wide-eyed desire to escape her surroundings. Portrayed here in her unforgettable role as Dorothy Gale, Garland remains deeply woven into queer history and culture. It has often been noted that her father and two of her five husbands were gay, contributing to the fascination and connection many in the LGBTQ+ community feel toward her.

For decades, asking “Are you a friend of Dorothy?” was a coded way for queer people to find one another in a world that was not always safe. That history, combined with Garland’s enduring legacy, is why I chose to paint this legend.

The Wizard of Oz captured my heart as a six-year-old boy, and its magic has stayed with me ever since."