Originating in underground LGBT+ communities, drag queens gained prominence in the early 20th century through vaudeville, cabaret, and underground clubs. Through time, they became icons of LGBTQ+ culture, increasingly celebrated for pushing boundaries of gender expression and advocating for acceptance and equality. The drag queen community played pivotal roles in the Stonewall Riots of 1969, which sparked the LGBTQ+ rights movement, and have since then become fixtures in mainstream entertainment.

In the arts world, drag has long been explored through works that challenge rigid social and sexual archetypes. From surrealist artist Marcel Duchamp and his female alter ego Rrose Sélavy, famously photographed by Man Ray, to pop artists like Andy Warhol, the art of gender bending has often been adopted as an act of subversion. Taking a contemporary approach to this subject matter, Sabo draws upon the rich cultural history of drag to explore a personal narrative of queer fantasy rooted in themes of change, renewal, and self-discovery. Through his work, Kevin Sabo pays homage to drag culture while tracing its history through modern times. From its clandestine, underground beginnings to its current place in mainstream culture, Sabo's paintings seek to present drag as a powerful symbol of self-expression, liberation, and solidarity within the LGBTQ+ community.

Characterized by bold patterns, vibrant fabrics, and quirky grimace on distorted bodies barely contained by their frames, Sabo's subjects depict drag as an ongoing process of transformation. Entirely imagined and fictional, these character-style figures reference pivotal moments in queer and pop culture.

For his debut solo exhibition in Belgium, titled Upper Crust, Sabo explores the queer community, and specifically the drag movement, at the time of the AIDS crisis of the 1980s-90s. Drawing on cultural touchstones such as the documentary "Paris Is Burning" and Madonna's "Girlie Show" Tour, which served as forms of resistance and solidarity in the face of stigma and loss, Sabo uses the upper echelon, glamorous and extravagant fashion influence of the era to capture the essence of opulent, queer admiration.

These works, and the artist himself, embody a generational echo of the queer media that has inspired and set precedents before him. A sort of homage to the generations that fought for the rights that the queer community benefits from today.

The paintings in this exhibition are presented in pairs, each featuring a "masc" (masculine) and "femme" (feminine) counterpart. Every depiction of a feminine character in one piece is accompanied by a companion painting featuring men in suits. Taking a new direction in his work, Kevin introduces, for the first time, more masculine realms alongside the prissy, feminine allure that has become his signature. The artist envisions these characters playing dress-up in their over-the-top costumes, exuding regalness, fabulousness, and perhaps a hint of silliness.