If Andy Warhol's infamous Factory was the beehive of New York's 1960s underground scene then drag performer Mario Montez was indie film's Queen Bee. Born René Rivéra, the soon-to-be-star changed his name to Mario Montez in homage to the Hollywood B-movie actress and 50s gay icon Maria Montez. The Puerto Rican native’s career kickstarted when he met avant-garde filmmaker Jack Smith, becoming his lover and muse while appearing in the director's iconic films Flaming Creatures and Normal Love.

The underground-scene in New York had long thirsted after a character like Montez and he quickly became a staple on the scene, working with names like Warhol, José Rodriguez-Soltero and Ron Rice – his final credit count for Warhol was in thirteen of the artist-filmmaker’s productions – and to stay grounded amongst the madness, Montez juggled his drag performances and acting gigs with a day job as a file clerk.

Although disappearing in the 70s, Montez resurfaced for a comeback some 30 years later, in 2010, but sadly passed away from a stroke in 2013, just before the premiere of his Mario Montez Returns show. In his honour, photographer Conrad Ventur has published the zine MONTEZLAND, a printed dedication to the late iconic drag queen and muse’s prime.

MONTEZLAND, published by Boo-Hooray, is available from Antenne Books here