Del LaGrace Volcano Discusses Subversive Photography

Photographer Del LaGrace Volcano, known for their subversive images of LGBTQ+ communities, drag kings, and sexual desire, has been living in Örebro, Sweden, for the past two decades. This period marks a significant shift from their earlier life in London, where they documented S&M fetish parties and lesbian cruising culture. Volcano, who is 68 years old and intersex, identifies as a "hermaphrodyke" and notes that they now "pass as apparently a little old man."

Volcano expresses a sense of nostalgia for London, stating, "I do miss it. I think London will always be my city." They acknowledge that Örebro, located between Stockholm and Gothenburg, is "not a queer city," and most of their neighbors are unaware of their identity. The photographer's work, once considered scandalous and even banned, is now being exhibited in museums, signifying a broader acceptance of the themes they explore.

Their artistic journey has involved defying conformity and capturing intimate aspects of human experience, particularly within marginalized communities. Volcano's personal life in Örebro includes walks in a nearby forest and visits to a local outdoor swimming pool with their two children, a contrast to their previous life in London's squats. The photographer's candid approach to their art and personal identity has challenged societal norms throughout their career.