My work combines photography and painting to explore themes of queer identity and the experience of navigating life through a queer, feminine lens. I aim to document and celebrate a community that has offered support to so many, myself included. Through my art, I also seek to express my experiences as a lesbian artist, hoping to connect with others who resonate with what I have to share.

I’m drawn to photography and painting because they allow me to tell layered stories and convey the themes that inspire me. Much of my work is influenced by drag and fashion, which embody self-expression, transformation, and performance. I’m especially inspired by Susan Sontag’s Notes on "Camp", as camp plays a central role in queer culture. Camp resists convention, embraces the outlandish and absurd, and celebrates unfiltered enthusiasm, an energy I strive to infuse into all of my work.

Ultimately, my practice celebrates queerness, resilience, and creativity. By merging visual storytelling with personal and cultural expression, I hope to create work that not only reflects my own journey but also uplifts the vibrant, diverse voices within the queer community. Through bold aesthetics and emotional honesty, I aim to create a space for connection and visibility. Reminding others, and myself, that there is power in being seen. 

Currently, I’m working on a series of snapshot style photographs (titled rejection therapy)  that document queer nightlife and its significance within the community. This project highlights the joy and intimacy that make these spaces so vital to queer life.


artist statement

I’m currently available for hire! Feel free to reach out!

Artist bio

Piper Shanks (she/her) is a multidisciplinary artist from San Diego, California, currently based in Oregon. Her work includes photography, both digital and film, as well as painting, and explores themes of queer culture and the experience of navigating life through a queer, feminine lens. She gravitates toward bold aesthetics that reflect the emotional vulnerability often found in queer spaces. Piper is currently a student at the University of Oregon and plans to graduate in the spring of 2026.