Stephen Wrench meets the man who’s turned drag stars into an artwork.
WORKING up to eight hours a day, five days a week, Brighton cross-stitch enthusiast Robert Flint has created a remarkable embroidered portrait of fifteen renowned drag stars – and the resulting artwork is now to be auctioned for charity.
“I get blisters on my thumbs and finger tips from constantly sewing,” laughs Robert, who describes himself as being “addicted” to cross-stitch. The drag artiste project took seven months to complete, with each individual portrait of 6,400 stitches taking three and a half weeks. That’s an astonishing 96,000 stitches in all and about 2,160 hours spent sewing.
“You can be sewing and sewing and sewing and seeing nothing,” says Robert, “and then something suddenly appears and you think ‘oh my God I’ve created that’.”
“I think it is wonderful to have our cabaret history captured in this unique way,” said Miss Jason, one of those featured, “so much time, effort and skill has gone into this truly special piece of our community’s history. I am honoured to feature on it.”
“The three on the top,” says Robert, “Dockyard Doris, Danny La Rue and Phil Starr, are looking down from heaven sending love to all the others.”
Aside from Miss Jason, those others are: Maisie Trollette, Miss Hope Springs, La Voix, Lola Lasagne, Davina Sparkle, Dave Lynn, Mary Mac, Pooh La May, Kara van Park, Sally Vate and Spice.
“I feel very privileged to have been chosen to appear,” said Pooh La May, “Robert has certainly done us all proud.”
Davina Sparkle added, “I am only too thrilled to be included. The result is truly a work of art and I hope it raises lots of money for such a good cause.”
Bear-Patrol will auction Robert’s work at its annual Hibernation community luncheon on October 21 which this year raises money for MindOut and The Rainbow Fund.
Robert began cross-stitch, taught by his sister, in 2009. “I live with arthritis and spongelitis in my fingers. Doing cross stitch helps the joints keep moving and keeps them flexible. The sewing also takes my mind off other health issues that I live with.”
As he’s continued the drag artiste project, Robert’s had constant support when posting his progress online. “Some of those I featured sent photographs for me to work from. Some didn’t so I just had to pick one. I used artistic licence!”
Sally Vate has been a great supporter, describing the finished work as “a masterpiece”, adding “I take my wig off to this wonderful man. This is a testament to artistes that have entertained the community, by a member of that community.”
Robert’s hands are rarely still. “I bite my fingernails between projects, waiting for materials to arrive. I’m on edge.”
Fortunately for his fingernails, Robert is already hard at work on his next cross stitch project, ’The Snow Fairy’. Both this and a cross-stitched Tom of Finland Santa Claus will be donated to Lunch Positive to help raise funds for the Brighton charity which provides a weekly lunch for people with HIV.
Hibernation, the community luncheon will take place at the Old Ship Hotel on Sunday October 21. All tickets are now sold out.
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