A brief look at the artists that inspired the RuPaul's Drag Race UK vs. The World series 1, episode 5 looks, as well as other artworks with a Drag Race link!
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Sunflowers 1888
One of Baga Chipz's best looks this season was inspired by one of the most famous series of still lifes – van Gogh's Sunflowers.
Vincent van Gogh (1853–1890)
Oil on canvas
H 92.1 x W 73 cm
The National Gallery, London
Image credit: The National Gallery, London
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Weeping Woman (Femme en pleurs) 1937
Although the judges couldn't quite see Blu's reference to Picasso straight away (thanks to block colouring giving the look a Mondrian feel), Blu's make up and the face on the back of the dress was clearly Picasso-inspired.
Pablo Picasso (1881–1973)
Oil on canvas
H 60.8 x W 50 cm
Tate
© Succession Picasso/DACS, London 2025. Image credit: Tate
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Marilyn Diptych 1962
Janey Jacké did a great job of capturing the colour and a screen-print like effect in her makeup and hair, outdoing a lot of the Warhol-inspired looks on All Stars 3, Episode 5.
Andy Warhol (1928–1987)
Acrylic on canvas
H 205.4 x W 144.8 cm
Tate
© The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / DACS, London 2025. Image credit: Tate
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Portrait of Hermine Gallia 1904
Jujubee explained that her look was inspired by a dress design by Iris van Herpen and Miami's Art Deco buildings. Although not inspired by an artwork as such, I couldn't help but think of Klimt's sumptuous paintings.
Gustav Klimt (1862–1918)
Oil on canvas
H 170.5 x W 96.5 cm
The National Gallery, London
Image credit: The National Gallery, London
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Le signal de l'angoisse (The Signal of Anguish) 1936
Mo Heart's mix of unusual symbols with a sinister edge captured the spirit of Dali's surrealist paintings with a bold use of lavender fabric, potentially inspired by this painting?
Salvador Dalí (1904–1989)
Oil on wood
H 21.8 x W 16.2 cm
National Galleries of Scotland
© Salvador Dali, Fundació Gala-Salvador Dalí, DACS 2025. Image credit: National Galleries of Scotland
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Two Dancers on a Stage 1874
Bonus: Lemon revealed her intended look on Twitter, inspired by both a sculpture and painting of ballet dancers by Edgar Degas.
Edgar Degas (1834–1917)
Oil on canvas
H 61.5 x W 46 cm
The Courtauld, London (Samuel Courtauld Trust)
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Lobster Telephone 1936
Bonus: Cheryl Hole revealed her intended Dali-inspired Lobster Telephone look on her Instagram.
Salvador Dalí (1904–1989)
Steel, plaster, rubber, resin & paper
H 17.8 x W 33 x D 17.8 cm
Tate
© Salvador Dali, Fundació Gala-Salvador Dalí, DACS 2025. Image credit: Tate
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Saint Sebastian probably 1480-95
Bonus: do you recall Aquaria's episode 3 runway back in season 10 of Drag Race? The use of multiple arrows striking her feathered dress recalls Saint Sebastian, somewhat of a gay icon in art history!
Matteo di Giovanni (c.1430–1495)
Tempera on wood
H 126.4 x W 59.7 cm
The National Gallery, London
Image credit: The National Gallery, London
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Divine Woman 1988
Bonus: Divine was a subversive drag superstar, starring in multiple John Waters' films (including the original Hairspray). She is a clear influence on drag today, particularly Drag Race star Eureka.
Andrew Logan (b.1945)
Glass, glitter & resin
H 61 x W 49 x D 34 cm
Andrew Logan Museum of Sculpture
© the artist. Image credit: Andrew Logan Museum of Sculpture
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Divine Man 1988
Bonus: the sculptor of these two works of Divine is Andrew Logan who founded the Alternative Miss World competition in the 1970s, set to return for its 50th anniversary edition at Shakespeare's Globe this year.
Andrew Logan (b.1945)
Glass, glitter & resin
H 46 x W 27 x D 25 cm
Andrew Logan Museum of Sculpture
© the artist. Image credit: Andrew Logan Museum of Sculpture
