The Little Black Gallery announced the US exhibition tour by Jane Hilton of her series Cowboys and Queens.
Launching 27 March at FreyBoy Art Salon in Las Vegas and then Los Angeles, next to Tulsa in Oklahoma in September at The Hulett Collection, and then Palo Gallery in New York in the spring of 2026.
Cowboys and Queens reflects the new modern-day American Dream. A utopian cocktail that celebrates the freedom and stance of the iconic working cowboy, with the flamboyance and inventiveness of the drag queen.
The inspiration is indisputable: from Sergio Leone and Tarantino, to Dorsey Swan and Ru Paul. Stunning blue skies and western landscapes by day, and the frisson of nightclubs and bars by night.
Both represent liberty and endless possibilities. A new frontier has emerged … a new Americana.
Inspired by John Huston’s classic film The Misfits (1961), Hilton worked closely with a vibrant community of drag artists who painstakingly created their own Western-inspired attire, from wigs and makeup to handcrafted accessories. In a bold departure from their usual nightlife habitats, the performers stepped into the vast natural light of the American West, without artificial lighting or any digital manipulation, creating an arresting juxtaposition of glamour, grit, and the romanticism of cowboy culture.
Alongside these portraits are images of authentic cowboys, also shot on film with a 4×5 plate camera. From the buckaroos of Nevada to the cowpunchers of Texas, Hilton has photographed cowboys in their own homes, surrounded by western artefacts, revealing their obsession with the lifestyle. Not only is their need to hold onto their heritage clearly visible, but their softer, possibly more feminine side is also exposed. Hilton’s own affection for the American West is clearly palpable.
Jane Hilton’s work has long explored American culture with a poetic sensitivity, capturing worlds that exist on the fringes of societal norms. Cowboys and Queens is no exception—challenging perceptions, blending genres, and celebrating the spirit of reinvention. These unforgettable portraits invite us to reflect on identity, transformation, and the ever-evolving American dream.
Jane Hilton is an award winning photographer and filmmaker whose work brings to our attention the extraordinary realities of ordinary people’s lives.
The Cowboys & Queens US Tour by Jane Hilton, organised by The Little Black Gallery, starts at Freyboy Art Salon in Las Vegas on 27 March.
Opening March 27, 2025 4:30 – 7:00 p.m
FAS44 Freyboy Art Salon
4044 Dean Martin Dr.
Las Vegas, NV 89103
https://fas44.com/
The book is now available from www.thelittleblackgallery.com
