This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Mathu Andersen is a master of makeup. He's also the creative producer for RuPaul's Drag Race as well as RuPaul's go-to for glamor, and he's hosting an exhibit of his skills at a Hollywood gallery.
Andersen has been posting photos of himself in gorgeous, intricate makeup via his Instagram account, @mathu7. The account blew up last Halloween after Andersen posted a photo of himself made up like a skeleton with bright lips.
On November 13, his show 'The Instagram Art of Mathu Andersen' will be on display at World of Wonder Productions' Storefront Gallery in Hollywood. This is Andersen's first solo show.
Andersen said he has been involved in the creative process since he was very young, working in fashion, music, art, popular culture and "unpopular culture." Originally from Australia, Andersen moved to New York in 1986, where he worked also worked in fashion and photography. He moved to L.A. in 2002 and worked on numerous music videos prior to RuPaul's Drag Race.
"I have worn many hats…and kept them all," he told LAist.
His work on RuPaul's Drag Race came from Andersen's previous work with RuPaul and Drag Race production company, World of Wonder. He calls the show a "family affair."
His Instagram work, however, he said, "is my odd interior world of light and shadow, gods and monsters—a place where villains are sympathetic and the heroes are idiots."
Andersen has many stunning images to choose from, and when it came to selecting which would be featured in his show, he admits it was "a bit of a trial."
"Initially, I was rather cavalier about the whole process," he told LAist. "However, when it came to the crunch, it was not easy to be objective about my own image. After a couple of days of unbecoming petulant behavior, I settled for a mix of images that were popular and images that were personal and particular to me. I did wonder how the images would work outside of the context of Instagram. Hopefully, I have chosen well."
The gallery event is hosted by RuPaul and Svedka Vodka, who will be providing specialty cocktails. There will also be beer from ABK Beer, Zevia soda and Sprinkles Cupcakes.
The Instagram Art of Mathu Andersen. Thursday, November 13, 7 p.m. World of Wonder Storefront Gallery, 6650 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood. RSVP to events@worldofwonder.net.
