Abu Phadua is the drag name of Meital Atias, an ex-Orthodox Jewish man who left his home in the settlements at the age of 25 in order to lead Jerusalem’s underground drag scene.

Phadua represents a refinement of Israeli identity politics. In this work, she is seen peeking behind a velvet curtain at the crowd gathering to watch her performance on New Year’s Eve. This minor, personal moment arrives right before the perfect climax – the transcendence.