Julie Sundberg

Julie and Danny’s first drag photo-shoot took place in the apartment of a shared friend, who also happened to be a drug dealer.

Julie met Danny in New York in 1986, where they roamed around the city, often stopping for impromptu photography shoots.
In this image, they found an abandoned car where Danny posed as a crash victim. The photograph’s negative was damaged, but Julie made the decision not to retouch it as it reflected his lifestyle, and imbued a sentiment of the time.
New York City, USA – 1987

‘Danny often looked like he was either hustling or in a fashion shoot – he was no stranger to either experience.’ – Julie Sundberg
West Side Highway, New York City, USA – 1987

Left: In the 1990s, Danny created intricate decoupages, covering chairs, tables, ladders and bags with images acquired from Camel Filter cigarette packs, vintage advertising, glamour girls and gay pornography. His work was celebrated in the Australian television series ‘The Collectors’. 
Right: Danny dressed and ready for his performance. 
Sydney, Australia – 1993

This diptych is a celebration and distillation of Danny’s attitudes to drag, and gender presentation and identity. As Danny said, “You can still be masculine even when you’ve got a face full of makeup and are wearing a dress.”
Left: Danny in a dress, and make-up.
Right: Danny in notionally ‘male’ clothing
Sydney, Australia – 1993

Danny was over 2 metres tall in heels and a wig. ‘He never feared anything but as he grew older he had to face the decline of his physicality which had always been charismatic and imposing.’ – Julie Sundberg
Sydney, Australia – 2012

During this period, Danny had been diagnosed with HIV and was also facing other health problems. He had not actively used illicit drugs for some time, but Julie began noticing syringes around his apartment. Julie writes “I felt angry that he was compromising his health by using again, and it caused a rift in our relationship for a while. This was a painful time.”
Sydney, Australia – 1996

Left: Danny gets ready for their first drag photo-shoot. New York City, USA – 13 March, 1987
Right: Danny on his deathbed. Sydney, Australia – 20 May, 2021

An image captured during their first drag photo-shoot.
New York City, USA – 1987

In 1987, Danny lived with Julie in the West Village. ‘Despite our escalating drug use, these were good times.’ – Julie Sundberg
West Village, New York City, USA – 1987

Left: Danny drew inspiration from diverse references, such as John Waters, Hollywood ‘screen goddesses’, and his Lebanese mother, who moved to Australia with vegetable seeds smuggled in her bra. Danny’s mother is pictured on the dresser to the left.
Right: ‘As Danny approached his 60th birthday his transition from teenage beauty queen to character actress was complete.’
Sydney, Australia – 2013

Danny mid transformation – moving from one state of being to another. Julie captures a combination of strength and vulnerability, with a healthy dose of defiance.
Sydney, Australia – 2013

Left: ‘Queen of the night.’
Right: ‘Danny’s swan song.’ 
Sydney, Australia – 2017

The last time Danny wore drag was for his friend’s 70th birthday, Julie visited him at his home beforehand to do a practice shoot. Danny was not well at the time, and experienced difficulty with getting into character, and finding the right pieces for his look. At the end of the shoot, Danny came alive with the same animated spirit as Julie had captured in their first drag photo-shoot in New York City, in 1987. 
Sydney, Australia – 2017