Thanks to a generous Visual Artist sponsorship provided by The Blocks SLC, the 2025 Utah Queer Film Festival was able to commission the talents of local, Queer artist Denyse R. Davis for an original design celebrating Queer history and progress in Utah!
Davis, a Queer, Filipino-American multidisciplinary artist based in Salt Lake City, embraced the festival theme of Fearless Queerness with a design showcasing Madam Pattirini—the historical drag persona of B. Morris Young, Brigham Young’s child.
“For this year’s Utah Queer Film Festival, I was honored to design the imagery of Madam Pattirini, the drag persona of Brigham Morris Young. In my portrait, Madam Pattirini strikes a campy pose of surprise, hand to her chest, wide-eyed and theatrical. This choice felt essential, it embodies the wit and humor of drag while also nodding to the audacity of embodying queerness in a time and place where it was profoundly subversive,” Davis said. She continued: “The work pays tribute not only to Utah’s queer history but also to the ongoing spirit of fearlessness in our community today. Through color and gesture, I aim to honor queerness as both resistance and joy, a vibrant thread woven through generations. This piece is a celebration of queer legacy, artistry, and the ways we continue to create power in our visibility.”
To see additional artwork by Davis, check out their website, and follow along on their Instagram to find them at local art markets where you can purchase original works to take home!
And, be sure to keep an eye on what The Blocks are up to. From artist resources to special events around Salt Lake, they always have something for the creatives in our community, and we are grateful for their partnership and commitment to elevating artistry in Utah