HAIR, IDENTITY + COMMUNITY

Belfast-based photographer and printmaker Ellen Blair is interested in themes of queer joy, community, mental health and intimacy. Drawing inspiration from personal happenings and the communities she is a part of, her work is both a reflection of her inner world and a celebration of shared experiences.

Her newest photographic body of work, Homemade Undercuts, which debuted at Outburst Queer Arts Festival 2024, features contributions from a collection of local poets and writers and delves into the queer experience, celebrating hair as a canvas for self-expression and a symbol of identity and community.

Walk into any queer venue, you’ll likely notice that half the room sports shaved undercuts, whereas the other half flaunts vibrant, multi-coloured hair. But why is this? Hair is arguably the most accessible way to experiment with how to present ourselves to the world. This project uses this motif to investigate the search for an identity that feels right.

In a society where gender-affirming healthcare can involve waiting times of upwards of four years, a haircut can be the closest you get to experiencing gender euphoria while waiting for that crucial appointment.

For those in the queer community who don’t align with the gender binary, traditional hairdressers and barbers can feel unwelcoming. As a result, haircuts done at home or in safe, community-led spaces, are commonplace. Homemade Undercuts celebrates this sense of community, born out of a desire to be oneself. It explores how the queer community has navigated societal norms to create inclusive and affirming spaces.

Homemade Undercuts is a tribute to the enduring spirit of the queer community. It is an exploration of how something as simple as a haircut can become a revolutionary act.