Literacy and Art: Returning to Memento Mori Gallery

Written By Jay Cupcake

Returning to Memento Mori Gallery & Tattoo for their literary-themed show was the perfect excuse to dive back into the world of digital storytelling. My featured piece for this exhibition stars the incomparable Denver drag queen Lulu Krystals.

The Story Behind the Art

In this collage, I wanted to capture the whimsy and transformation inherent in the classic tale, but with a distinctly queer, theatrical twist. Lulu Krystals is perfectly reimagined as a puppet brought to life, emerging from the pages of a massive, glowing golden book. Against a vibrant teal sky and surrounded by sun-drenched clouds, her performance as the wooden child who wanted to be "real" takes on a whole new layer of meaning in the context of drag and identity.

Returning to Memento Mori

This marks my second exhibition with Memento Mori in Lakewood's 40 West Arts District. Their "Take a Look, It's in a Book" exhibit was an incredible gathering of over 30 local artists, each translating the written word into a visual medium. It was an honor to see Lulu—and my work—hanging in such a creative, boundary-pushing space once again.

Jay Cupcake

I’ve always believed that a great portrait is a collaboration, not just a click of a shutter. My name is Jay, and for over a decade, I’ve been capturing the vibrant, the surreal, and the unapologetically authentic. Recently relocated from the mountains of Colorado to the Twin Cities, I bring an editorial eye and a 'laughter-first' philosophy to every session.

My work spans the spectrum of the human experience—from photographing the Mayor of Denver for Civilian Magazine to creating high-concept digital collages featuring the icons of the drag and variety scene. Whether I’m building a complex 100-layer digital piece or capturing a clean, professional headshot, my goal is to make my subjects feel like the most powerful version of themselves. I don't just take pictures; I help personalities shine through.

https://www.jaycupcake.com
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