THE WORLD OF GORE WHORE: THESIS
April 8, 2025
Gore Whore is a drag queen I’ve created based on reality tv tropes and characters. Through self portraiture and performance, my transformation into Gore Whore addresses my issues with not feeling represented in mainstream media. The work is a series of self-portraits of me in drag in different circumstances, capturing Gore Whore’s daily life. A short film is included in the work depicting her being interviewed by reality tv producers. The project explores identity, self image, and societal expectations through a camp lens referencing western pop culture. My transformation into Gore Whore allows me to embody my fantasy separate from myself. Alex Tanemura is a visual artist from Seattle, Washington that works with image, fashion, and performance. Tanemura pursues art making through camp and queerness. Their approach to photography is rooted in exploring identity and self expression. They’re based in New York and willing to travel for work.
Selection from series, digital self-portraits
New York, NY
Seattle, WA
MADISON STYLE PROJECT
October 11, 2024
Styled by Madison Richardson and Alex Tanemura
Selections from series, digital prints
Brooklyn, NY
SKY ATLAS
September 27, 2023
Photo Assistant: Eli Saulnier
Makeup and Styling by Jus Wilson
Model: Jus Wilson
Selection from series, digital prints
New York, NY
GRETA MOSCHATA, SPRING/SUMMER
May 12, 2022
Designer: Greta Moschata
Hair and Makeup: Yvonne Zhou
Model: Lexi Brown
Selection from series, digital portraits and self-portraits
New York, NY
CONEY ISLAND PRINCESS
March 26, 2022
Styled by Alex Tanemura
Makeup by Isa
Model: Isa
Selection from series, digital portraits
Coney Island, New York
MEANING OF COLOR: PINK
2022
I’ve always been drawn to the color Pink. Its associations and meaning are so versatile. Pink is usually associated with femininity. It exudes softness and sensitivity but is also used as a bold statement throughout pop culture. When paired with white, Pink represents youth and innocence. With black, Pink symbolizes eroticism and seduction.
Through my research on the color pink, my mind immediately referenced Marina’s 2012 album, Electra Heart. In the album, Marina mocks American female archetypes, such as teen idol, home wrecker, housewife, prima donna, and heartbreaker. The color pink is also seen in her promotion for the album and in her music videos for tracks like Primadonna and How to Be a Heartbreaker. Electra Heart embodies the different meanings of pink.
Through this self portrait series, I’ve created four different characters inspired by the archetypes Marina portrays in her album. The first character is centered on youth and innocence and wears pink and white outfits surrounded by pushies. The pink draping around this character gives a sense of dreamlike euphoria. The second character is a mix between a heartbreaker and omewrecker. The pink and black in the outfit and on the black hints to association of sexuality. The third character, teen idol, draws inspiration from the party scene in the early 2000s. These two shots act like quick snapshots at a party while also using harsh flash reminiscence of Cobra Snake. The final character is the aloof housewife, who is depicted doing chores and contemplating marriage. Although these characters can be read as four different people, I want the viewer to see how the childhood character progresses into the heartbreaker, then to teen idol, and finally the housewife. Essentially we're watching this character grow up.
Makeup and Styling by Alex Tanemura
Selection from series, digital self-portraits
New York, NY
SELF-PORTRAIT DIARY
2021
Self expression and subculture have always fascinated me. For my final project in Studio, I want to explore my identity through self portraiture. In this series, I have combined my interests in styling and fashion with my past work with landscapes and photographing quiet spaces. Each location or environment is supposed to represent a diary entry. I chose locations that I felt most comfortable in and reflected my past work. Since this project was about self reflection, I wanted to capture what I was feeling during that moment. I played with a variety of environments when taking these photos. Although I took pictures outside in Greenwood cemetery, Roosevelt Island, and Whidbey Island, I also shot in my hallway in my apartment and in the studio. I wanted an environment that was restrictive and to also have a chance to create an environment of my own. Through this project, I want to show different aspects of myself through my perspective.
Makeup and Styling by Alex Tanemura
Selection from series, digital self-portraits
New York, NY
Daria
2021
Model: Daria
Selection from series, digital portraits.
New York, NY
MISA AMANE
2021
Makeup and Styling by Alex Tanemura
Inspiration from Death Note by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata
Digital self-portraits
New York, NY
DORM ROOM 1503
2021
Makeup and Styling by Alex Tanemura
Selection from series, digital self-portraits.
New York, NY
ANGELS
2020
Makeup and Styling by Alex Tanemura
Digital self-portraits
Seattle, WA
SAVANNAH
2020
Makeup and Styling by Savannah Cheyenne
Model: Savannah Cheyenne
Selection from series, digital and analog portraits
Seattle, WA
DELUSIONAL DAYDREAMING
2019
I realized there is a common theme of isolation in my work. In this self/reveal project called Delusional Daydreaming, I wanted to explore the emotions of being alone. To do this, I had to reflect on my emotions when I’m alone. The photos I have selected have a sense of tranquility while also having a sense of melancholy. To me, being alone can be a relaxing experience but it can also lead to loneliness. Isolation has led me to express myself freely without the judgment of others. However, it has led me to feel uncomfortable in social settings and unable to maintain relationships.
Selection from series, digital prints and self-portrait
New York, NY
COLOR FILM ARCHIVE
2020
Selection from series, 35mm
Seattle and Whidbey Island, WA
DIGITAL ARCHIVE
2017-2019
Selection from series, digital prints
Washington, Hawaii, Utah