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Zoe Perry-Wood
"BAGLY Prom"

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Jonny, 2011/2012, Archival pigment print, courtesy of the artist & Gallery Kayafas

Artist Statement
These images are part of a seven-year project photographing the Boston Alliance of Gay & Lesbian Youth (BAGLY) Prom. Even in these progressive times, the yearly BAGLY Prom fills the hole left when these youth are not allowed to attend, or don’t feel a sense of belonging at, traditional proms in their own high schools and before they gain a foothold in adult gay culture.

Held for 33 years, the Prom is a safe haven that flies under mainstream radar, yet thrives within gay youth subculture with attendance reaching up to 1200 from New England. This current period represents an important moment in social history when the Prom continues to play a vital role, while the lives of these youth hang in the balance between historical, outright oppression, and imminent, broad acceptance. This project is based in the hopeful idea that one day such an event may not be necessary.

Artist Bio
Zoe Perry-Wood holds a BFA from Massachusetts College of Art and Design. Her work has been exhibited internationally, including solo exhibitions at Gallery Kayafas and Art@Palace Road at Simmons School of Social Work, as well as group exhibitions at The National Portrait Gallery in London for the Photographic Portrait Prize, The Kinsey Institute at Grunwald Gallery of Art, Center for Photography at Woodstock, Soho Photo, Gallery Photographica, Photo Center NW, Camera Obscura Gallery, Danforth Museum, Bakalar Gallery at MassArt, and Schoolhouse Gallery. Images from the BAGLY Prom project were up on The Fence. Zoe’s work is represented by Gallery Kayafas.