Rugby Queen, expo photos autour de la semaine des fiertés

This series, which Blandine Vives initiated by photographing her brother, a member of an LGBTQ+ club in Montreal, continued in clubs in Manchester, Seattle, Buenos Aires, Amsterdam and London.

This work, supported by LaScam in 2024 and the DRAC Ile-de-France in 2025, finds its culmination today in the publication of the book RugbyQueen, which brings together a selection of 61 photographs, the release of which is in conjunction with the exhibition of the same name.

While the fusion between rugby, a sport perceived as virile and masculine, and the art of drag, which pushes the boundaries of gender identity, may seem paradoxical, these two practices reveal team cohesion, a spirit of sharing, and self-improvement, whether athletic or artistic.

Thus this work opens a reflection on the rituals of physical and mental preparation specific to each discipline on which Blandine Vives relies to reveal through games of juxtaposition the links and ambiguities existing between these two practices.

Thursday, June 25th at 7pm:
Round table : Round table with Philippe Liotard, sociologist and anthropologist of sport, the body and its modifications, with a player from the team Les Gaillards Paris and with Blandine Vives, photographer and author of the book RugbyQueen.
They will discuss inclusive rugby sports and clubs and will offer a question and answer session.

The book, scheduled for release on June 24, will be on sale at the Gallery and signed by the artist on the day of the opening (the 24th) and on June 25 from 6pm.
All the information is available here: https://galeriem.eu/expos/rugbyQueen.php