![](https://video-images.vice.com/videos/5a/b0/5ab02275f1cdb35dec706381/5ab02275f1cdb35dec706381-1521497701912.jpg?crop=1xw:1xh;center,center)
JR HA: I’m focusing on artists who are queer and artists who are people of color because I am a QPOC artist and I believe these are marginalized groups. Their image and story needs to be documented. Part of the goal is to document prominent people in the queer and underground scene and to shine a light on them as such, but also as artists and friends.You’ve been throwing club events for the past ten years in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Oakland, and New York—Club Clit, Club Fist, an annual John Waters party—how does that tie into your work now?
That put me in contact with a lot of artists and performers. A lot of the people I shot for Neon Paradise were in one way or another a part of my club event—either I’ve booked them or they were a supporter—so in a sense it is an extension. I’m bringing them into another form of my artistic life.What’s your approach for who goes with which sign?
I try to be kind of crafty in matching certain people with certain signs. It’s a major thought process that I have to sit through and do research on. It’s totally like matchmaking. Some people are really down for the signs I choose for them and some people are kind of like, "Oh, maybe I want this one instead…" People get very picky sometimes. It’s funny.
I started when I was younger. I always had a camera. My dad took photos all the time and I picked up on that. One of my art teachers… I told him I wanted to be a psychologist and he was like "Well, that’s like flushing shit down a toilet…"Your teacher told you that?
My art teacher Mr. Olson. I’ll never forget it. I was like "Well, jeez." But he gave me a camera and was like, "Go and shoot the seniors for their graduation." And I was like, "No way, I’m way too shy, I can’t do that." And he was like, "Well, break out of it." And I did it… I’ve been taking photos ever since.Below, HA walks us through the photos of Neon Paradise.
Leen, 2017. Photo: JR HA; Dress: Eileen O’Brien
James Flemons, 2017. Photo: JR HA; Shirt: Phlemuns
Jillian Gnarling and Hollow, 2017. Photo: JR HA
The Sisters, 2018. Photo: JR HA; Clothing design and styling: Eileen O’Brien
JAJA, 2017. Photo: JR HA; Gloves and dress: Eileen O’Brien
Austyn Rich, 2018. Photo: JR HA
Neon Music, 2018. Photo: JR HA; Dress: Eileen O’Brien
Neon Music, 2018. Photo: JR HA; Dress: Eileen O’Brien
Dad and Lizard, 2018. Photo: JR HA
Celeste XXX, 2018. Photo: JR HA
Clarys, 2018. Photo: JR HA; Bodysuit, gloves, stole: Eileen O’Brien