Adrienne Raquel
ONYX
Adrienne Raquel’s ONYX ventures beyond the societal stigma often associated with exotic dancing, and depicts a captivating narrative of femininity, sisterhood, self-transformation, and strength among the performers. Through portraiture and environmental vignettes, the dancers are photographed in their most vulnerable yet powerful moments — both on and beyond the performance stage.
ABOUT THE EXHIBITION
ONYX is a completely new photography series created by NYC-based photographer and art director Adrienne Raquel and commissioned by Fotografiska New York. In this alluring and provocative photographic exploration of the famed Onyx strip club in Houston, TX, Raquel pushes past the polish and controlled sets of her commercial work, and captures exotic dancers in a more candid and intimate environment. With her signature attention to detail, portrayal of glamour and ability to capture radiant beauty in her subjects, Raquel highlights the nuances of Southern strip club culture while focusing on the relationship dynamics amongst the dancers.
“I wanted these photographs to reflect an enticing, timeless, bold visual style — all while capturing the essence of each entertainer from an empowered, artful perspective. ONYX tells a story in the heat of the moment — lending a true unstaged, behind the scenes look into the lifestyle and emotion present in each dancer’s narrative.”
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Adrienne Raquel is an NYC based photographer and art director. Inspired by femininity, soulfulness and color, Adrienne’s work is rooted in nostalgia and fantasy while remaining fresh and contemporary. Exhibitions include Mickalene Thomas’ Better Nights at Miami’s Bass Museum and Aperture’s New Black Vanguard.