Delilah Tickles by Hannah Rose Thomas

Delilah Tickles is a drag queen and comedy performer who is known for organising and leading Canterbury Pride. Delilah was nominated to sit for this portrait for supporting and representing the LGBTQIA+ community not just in Canterbury but across Kent.

The materials, composition, pose and expression of this portrait are similar to historical portraits but in this artwork, these elements have a very different effect. In contrast to Delilah’s clothes and makeup which are bold, exaggerated and cartoonish, her pose and expression seem quite serious. Could it be a humorous critique of historical portraiture which often sought to emphasise status and wealth?