Homemade Undercuts: Hair, identity and community

“Hair is everything. 

We wish it wasn’t so we could actually think about something else occasionally, but it is.” 

Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Fleabag

Homemade Undercuts is a new photographic body of work from Ellen Blair, featuring writing from a collection of local poets and writers* that delves into the Queer experience, celebrating hair as a canvas for self-expression and a symbol of identity and community. 

Walk into any Queer venue in Belfast, you'll likely notice that half the room sports shaved undercuts, whereas the other half flaunts vibrant, multi-coloured hair. But why is this? Hair is arguably the most accessible way to experiment with how to present ourselves to the world. This project uses this motif to investigate the search for an identity that feels right. 

In a society where gender-affirming healthcare can involve waiting times of upwards of 4 years, a haircut can be the closest you get to experiencing gender euphoria while waiting for that crucial appointment. For those in the Queer community who don't align with the gender binary, traditional hairdressers and barbers can feel unwelcoming. As a result, haircuts done at home or in safe, community-led spaces, are commonplace. Homemade Undercuts celebrates this sense of community, born out of a desire to be oneself. It explores how the Queer community has navigated societal norms to create inclusive and affirming spaces.

Homemade Undercuts is a tribute to the enduring spirit of the Queer community. It is an exploration of how something as simple as a haircut can become a revolutionary act. 

*Suzanne Magee, Heather Fleming, Mícheál McCann, Benjamin Lindsay, Eva Eisherwood-Wallace, Fern Fitzpatrick & Alice Linehan

About the artist: 

Ellen Blair (b.1998) is a Belfast-based photographer and printmaker. She is interested in themes of Queer joy, community, mental health, and intimacy. Drawing inspiration from the world around her - personal experiences and the communities she is a part of, her work is both a reflection of her inner world and a celebration of shared experiences. She seeks to create work that not only reflects her personal journey but also offers a space for others to find connection, comfort, and joy. Her work has been exhibited across the UK and Ireland. Follow Ellen on Instagram.

About Outburst Queer Arts Festival:

The 18th Outburst Queer Arts Festival 2024 will take place from 15 - 23 November 2024 in venues throughout Belfast.  As Northern Ireland’s annual queer arts festival, the programme celebrates LGBTQI+ community activists, artists and writers. With years of love, passion, wonderful allies and pure creative boldness, Outburst has grown into one of the leading festivals in Belfast for cutting-edge writing, performance and art.